Achievement of sustainable agricultural development and national food security in Africa is dependent on several factors, including productivity in the livestock production sub-sector. This study surveyed farmers’ perceptions on provision of extension services relating to livestock production in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Benin. A structured questionnaire comprising dichotomous, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions was used to survey a total of 1560 farmers in Burkina Faso, 345 in Mali, and 480 in Benin. Most farmers surveyed pursued integrated crop and livestock production, but more frequently in Burkina Faso (91%) than in Mali and Benin (66%). Around one-third (36%) of the respondents in Burkina Faso had access to livestock extension services, while the corresponding figure in Mali and Benin was 54% and 69%, respectively (p < 0.01). Moreover, 71% of respondents in Mali, 73% in Burkina Faso, and 84% in Benin reported significantly (p < 0.05) fewer extension activities for livestock compared with crop production. Thus, livestock production seems to be given low priority in agricultural extension interventions. We recommend that future diffusion of technological packages should be more holistic, considering the major concerns of the specific environment and the socio-cultural traditions of both livestock and crop producers.

Larvae of Hermetia illucens are a valuable source of protein for animal feed that can be produced by exposing animal and agro-industrial wastes to naturally occurring flies. The objective of this study was to improve techniques for obtaining H. illucens larvae to feed livestock in Burkina Faso. An experiment was conducted to determine the most favourable substrates and seasons for larval production. The substrates used were poultry manure, local beer waste, local beer waste mixed with poultry manure, cottonseed cake, and industrial brewery waste mixed with poultry manure. The production of larvae was carried out in four different seasons. The effect of the container’s oviposition area (0.07 m², 0.09 m², and 0.11 m²) and the type of container (terracotta, plastic, and iron) on larval production was also assessed. The produced larval biomass was high during, or just after, the rainy season but very low during the cool dry and hot dry seasons. Yields were higher with local beer waste mixed with poultry manure followed by local beer waste and cottonseed cake. The average mass of H. illucens larvae increased slightly with the oviposition area for the same amount of substrate. Iron and terracotta containers provided better results than plastic containers. The suitability of this production method for H. illucens larvae production is discussed.

This study aimed to promote the use of termites as feed in traditional poultry farming by developing sustainable and inexpensive termite trapping techniques. Various tests were carried out in Burkina Faso to improve the traditional technique of trapping termites of the genus Macrotermes using a reversed container filled with organic matters. We studied the effect of containers’ types, substrates, habitats, harvesting times, duration of trap deposition, and season on the quantity of termites trapped. Calabashes and terra cotta pots trapped more termites than iron boxes, but calabashes were quickly destroyed by termites. The quantity of termites harvested increased proportionally with the volume of the pot and was higher in a cultivated habitat than in a forest, despite the higher number of termite mounds in the forest. The quantity of termites harvested was lowest in the cold-dry season and highest during the rainy season, however, sizeable amounts of termites were collected throughout the year. Among six substrates and mixtures of substrates tested, maize cobs trapped the highest number of termites and cow dung the lowest. The best time of harvest varied among seasons and, if substrates are abundant, it is more efficient to empty the containers on a daily basis.

In Africa, insects have long been used as human food and animal feed. This practice is presently being promoted to reduce malnutrition and provide new opportunities for the economic development of the rural poor, in particular women. However, gender issues need to be considered at an early stage and, to set up a baseline for such considerations, it is essential to understand the role of women in all present aspects of the sector. This paper reviews the role of women in the collection, production, processing, marketing and consumption of insects used as food and feed in Africa. Women tend to dominate the value chain although their role varies with insects and regions. Most insects used as human food are still field collected, usually by women, who also lead marketing activities, especially when the market is of low value. Women also prepare and cook the insects. Consumption is usually shared among men, women and children, but gender balance may vary with insects and regions and may be influenced by traditions and taboos. There is less information available on gender roles in the sector of insects as feed, largely because, until recently, only a few insect species were used to feed livestock, and these insects were not traditionally traded. Nowadays, systems for producing, processing and marketing fly larvae as feed are being developed but gender issues have not yet been really taken into consideration. Efforts should be made to ensure that this emergent activity will also provide business opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

The present study aimed to evaluate the technical and socio-economic impact of using donkeys (Equus asinus) in agricultural production to facilitate the adaptation of the "ASMC" seeder for smallholder women farmers in western Burkina Faso. A survey consisting of eighteen (18) representative farms in ten (10) villages located in two (2) provinces formed the basis for semi-structured interviews with groups of women registered with the Regional Union of Cereal Producers. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to evaluate the survey data. Based on the survey results, the representative farms were primarily family farms with two methods of seeding maize: manual sowing and partial or exclusive use of the ASMC mechanical seeder. The draft donkey ownership rate was 68% on the manual and 41% on the mixed-method of seeding farms. Donkeys provided a significant reduction in the time needed for tillage and planting operations for 74% of the respondents, thereby improving the timeliness of farming activities. There was a positive correlation between total land use for farm activities and the number of draft donkeys on the farm. 67% of the women farmers believed that sowing with a pair of oxen was faster (P<0.05) than with one donkey power, as they usually do. The cost of sowing with the oxen was slightly higher compared to the donkey, but the cost of adoption was significantly greater for oxen (P<0,05). Based on this study, donkeys in these farming systems can increase productivity and improve women farmers' welfare.

Pendant la période de stress thermique, la couverture des besoins nutritionnels despoules pondeuses reste un élément crucial. La présente étude est ainsi conduite pourtester les effets de l’utilisation simultanée de l’huile et du sel dans le rationnementdes poules pondeuses à Bobo-Dioulasso en vue d’améliorer leur bien-être et leursperformances de production en période de forte chaleur.A travers un dispositif en bloc de Fisher randomisé, 160 poules de race ISA Brownâgées de 23 semaines ont été réparties de façon aléatoire entre un traitementtémoin (TT) et un traitement d’huile de coton 1% dans la ration + chlorure de sodium0,25% dans l’eau de boisson (THCCS). Cette étude expérimentale s’est déroulée sur12 semaines après une phase d’adaptation.Les résultats indiquent que la température et l’hygrométrie ambiantes moyennesétaient respectivement de 31,5°C et de 51, 9% dans le bâtiment. La températurerectale des poules du TT a été plus élevée que celle des poules du THCCS (p < 0,05).Le taux de ponte moyen a été de 40,2% (TT) et de 37,9% (THCCS) avec p < 0,05.Les poids et volume d’œuf du THCCS (51,7 g et 47,9 cm3) ont été respectivementsupérieurs à ceux du TT (50,2 g et 46,8 cm3) avec p < 0,05.L’expérience n’a pas été concluante pour améliorer le niveau de ponte, mais anéanmoins permis d’avoir des œufs de meilleure qualité physique. En perspectives,ce travail doit être poursuivi avec d'autres additifs alimentaires.