In the North of Burkina Faso, rural populations use rain-fed subsistence farming. So they
depend on climate variations. For this reason, the production varies strongly from year to
year and the basic needs are not always satisfied.
The production is mainly based on cereals (particularly sorghum) and is directed to their
own consumption. The cereals are stocked in traditional stores and consumed all year
long by the family farms’ members. During the dry season, other economic activities are
led: nearly all family farms buy and sell small livestock as part of extensive farming activities.
When the context enables it, some families (25%) also use an off-season farming,
which products are exclusively reserved for sales. 57% of them have at least one member
involved in artisanal gold mining and 86% have an activity generating incomes (usually
small business).