Water Dynamics and Drought Strategies for Resilient Farming in Burkina Faso, Horn of Africa Context

Water scarcity is a significant challenge in agriculture across the Horn of Africa, including Burkina Faso. Droughts exacerbate existing water management issues, impacting crop yields and farmer livelihoods. A mixed-method approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis was employed. Data were collected through surveys targeting smallholder farmers, supplemented by hydrological measurements at selected sites. Farmers reported a significant decline in groundwater levels over the past decade, affecting irrigation systems and water availability for crops. A regression model revealed that crop yield reductions varied inversely with the depth of groundwater extraction (R² = 0.75, p < 0.01). The study underscores the critical role of groundwater management in ensuring agricultural resilience during drought periods. Implementing sustainable water harvesting techniques and promoting community-based water resource management initiatives are recommended to enhance drought resistance among farmers in Burkina Faso. The empirical specification follows Y=β₀+β^ X+ε, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.