Water Harvesting Systems and Rural Women in Burkina Faso: An Impact Assessment

Water harvesting systems are crucial for sustainable agriculture in arid regions like Burkina Faso, where rainfall is unpredictable and water scarcity affects rural livelihoods. The research employed a mixed-method approach combining quantitative data from surveys with qualitative insights from interviews to evaluate the effectiveness of these systems. A significant proportion (45%) of surveyed rural women reported increased crop yields after adopting water harvesting systems, demonstrating their positive impact on agricultural productivity. The findings suggest that water harvesting systems have a substantial positive effect on both agricultural output and household income among Burkina Faso's rural women farmers. Policy makers should prioritise the provision of training and support for rural women in implementing and maintaining these systems, alongside financial incentives to encourage adoption.