Due to the semi-arid nature of the Sahelian countries in Africa, irrigation infrastructures are essential in supporting the improvement of agricultural production. Their proper operation is, therefore, a key indicator for the sustainable development of agriculture in this region. However, there is a lack of critical assessment on the operating state of these hydro-agricultural facilities in Burkina Faso. In this study, we applied a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to 4070 hydro-agricultural facilities from 1950 to 2020 and classified them according to the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel’s (CILSS) typology classification system (Type 1 to Type 5). The MCA made it possible to see the relationships between a development typology and variables such as “functionality”, “condition of the development”, or “year of construction”. The results indicate that the irrigated lands with surface areas of less than 100 ha, which were funded by the government or organizations (associations, NGOs) and managed by local communities, are the least functional ones and in bad condition. Their dysfunction indeed conceals deep-seated causes that have not yet been resolved as the infrastructures keep on deteriorating. Therefore, establishing a sustainable and efficient management system for these agricultural infrastructures is imperative. The findings of this study can be used as a practical decision-making tool for implementing agricultural policies in the Sahel region.

Through the practice of irrigation, surface water reservoirs (SWRs) contribute to the socio-economic development and food production activities of populations in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, they tend to dry up prematurely. One solution to circumvent these irrigation water shortages is to ensure their conjunctive use with groundwater. The objective of this study is to better understand the contribution of SWRs to groundwater recharge and to determine if groundwater may be considered as a complementary local resource for irrigation. The study was carried out on two watersheds in Burkina Faso, Kierma and Mogtedo. The spatiotemporal analysis of piezometric and SWRs level records coupled with physico-chemical analyses of water was used to characterize exchanges between SWRs and groundwater. The regional groundwater recharge at the scale of the watersheds was assessed. At the SWRs scale, a water balance methodology was developed and used to estimate focused recharge. The results show that SWRs interact almost continuously with groundwater and contribute focused recharge. The magnitude of this recharge is a function of the geological context and the sediment texture of the SWRs. It is estimated at 5 mm/day in Kierma and 4 mm/day in Mogtédo. These values are higher than the natural recharge estimated at 0.2 mm/day in Kierma and 0.1 mm/day in Mogtédo. Additionally, the values of hydraulic conductivity are between 0.01 and 2 m/day in Kierma and between 1 × 10⁻⁴ and 0.2 m/day in Mogtédo. These conductivities could allow pumping in large-diameter hand-dug wells with a significant yield between 0.5 and 120 m³/day in Kierma and between 0 and 10 m³/day in Mogtédo to palliate the early drying up of the SWRs.

In Burkina Faso, small-scale, community-managed irrigation systems play a crucial role in stabilizing agricultural production and improving food security. Over the past three decades, the state has transferred the management of these irrigation systems to local farmer organizations in the hope of improving efficiency and sustainability. This study assesses the long-term performance of six irrigation perimeters Dakiri, Gorgo, Itenga, Mogtedo, Savili, and Wedbila through an in-depth analysis of governance models, infrastructure conditions, and financial sustainability. Performance indicators such as relative water supply (RWS), gross production per unit of irrigation water (PbIr), and water charge recovery rates were used to assess the effectiveness of farmer-led irrigation management. The results reveal persistent governance and financial challenges as well as issues such as water wastage and low yield persisting, despite decades of implementation of farmer-led management. The degradation of irrigation infrastructure, coupled with declining water fee collection rates, threatens the sustainability of these systems. A comparative analysis of international cases suggests that a hybrid governance model, in which the state provides technical and financial support while strengthening accountability mechanisms, could improve the performance of these irrigation systems. This study recommends a shift towards greater state intervention, improved financial mechanisms, and the adoption of digital monitoring tools to ensure a more efficient and sustainable management framework.

Groundwater quality assessment is critical for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG-6), which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. In Burkina Faso, groundwater is a vital natural resource supporting socio-economic development, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where water scarcity and quality are significant challenges. Climatic conditions in the country made of a long, hot and dry season followed by a short rainy period, result in considerable variability in water availability. Rapid population growth exacerbates these challenges by increasing water demand in both urban and rural areas; therefore, putting additional pressure on the already limited water resources. Moreover, the expansion of mining and agricultural activities further stresses these resources with contaminations from use of hazardous substances and over-extraction. The use of fertilizers and pesticides contributes to pollution, posing serious risks to human health and local ecosystems. Given the strategic importance of groundwater for Burkina Faso development amidst these growing challenges, a comprehensive understanding of groundwater quality is essential. This study focuses on the Eastern Region of Burkina Faso and aims to analyze the spatial distribution of physicochemical parameters related to groundwater quality in order to support sustainable water resource management and public health initiatives. Water samples from 42 sites were collected and analyzed for parameters such as pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), and concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate, and nitrate. The data were processed using the Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation method in ArcGIS 10.8 to produce spatial maps of these parameters. A Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated to classify groundwater quality as "Excellent" (WQI < 50), "Good" (50 ≤ WQI ≤ 100), or "Poor" (WQI > 100). The results revealed significant spatial variability in groundwater quality with concentrations sometimes exceeding WHO-standards. Specifically, 38.10% of the analyzed samples exceeded the standard for nitrates while 28.57% of the samples show turbidity above recommended thresholds. TDS levels vary considerably, reaching maximum values of 1,336 mg/L and electrical conductivity values reached 1,336 µS/cm. These results demonstrate marked heterogeneity in water quality parameters across the region. The generated maps could serve as valuable tool for decision-makers to enable identification of areas requiring particular attention for groundwater quality management.