What I Learnt in Burkina Faso

Procrastination, for the most part, has ended. My dissertation is well under way, and I’m getting closer to the end of the writing process each day. This is a GREAT feeling!

Since my work is on climate change’s implications for food security in Burkina Faso, the most important chapter (how people are adapting) is highly dependent on me going to Burkina Faso and seeing and asking people what they are doing. What started out as the most daunting task has now been completed!

Why did I even choose Burkina Faso as my study area, you may be wondering. It was one of those things that seemed like a cool idea at the time. During our dissertation proposal/defense stage, I had said I would look at the whole Sahel region in something more like ‘library research’ rather than field work. Our lecturers suggested that I look at Burkina Faso because they have tackled the problem of a struggling agricultural sector in a unique way, compared to other West African countries. At the time, I wasn’t really thinking about the fact that I didn’t know a single person in Burkina Faso, I don’t speak French OR their local language(s), and I wouldn’t know a single town to collect my data from.  Somehow I was able to overcome all of these barriers at the last minute and I just returned from collecting data in and around Ouagadougou (their capital city).

So what did I learn in Burkina? Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, but what they lack in wealth they certainly make up for in friendliness. I am now struggling to determine which country in West Africa, a region known by many as extremely hospitable to travellers, is the friendliest. In Burkina Faso you can find a complete stranger who is willing to sacrifice their time and work in order to help you with your research work. You may also find another complete stranger who is willing to let you stay in one of his vacant houses to ensure your comfort. It’s possible that this person may even turn out to be a Rotarian! You can find countless individuals who are willing to welcome you in to their homes or share a meal with you. You will find farmers who are willing to share information, freely. And despite the language barrier, everyone you meet will be willing to help and make you feel comfortable.

In terms of my research, everyone we met felt that climate changes were caused by “God’s wish” with many people seeing it as his wish and a form of punishment because people have been acting badly. While the rainy season started out okay this year, it is stopping early. People already have the sense that this year is going to be a poor growing season. Insects are affecting many people’s crops – caterpillars and beetles are killing many plants. Soil is degrading because people are forced to use the same land over and over again.  Because of these changes and more, its impossible to attain the same harvest yields that were possible years earlier.

This is a serious problem. The majority of Burkinabés derive their income from agriculture. The majority of Burkinabés do not have enough money to purchase imported food. So if they can’t grow, they can’t eat. I think you see the problem.