CHARACTERIZATION AND TYPOLOGY OF GUINEA FOWL (NUMIDA MELEAGRIS) FARMING SYSTEMS IN BURKINA FASO.

Guinea fowl (Numida Meleagris) production systems characterization was carried out in Burkina Faso through a baseline survey describing diversity in Guinea fowl farming practices in a context of limited references on this specie, in order to plan further development efforts and to enhance productivity. Five sites belonging to the three agro-ecological areas of Burkina Faso were covered as followed: one, three and one sites respectively in Sahel, Sudan-Sahel and Sudan areas. A total of 100 farmers were interviewed: 25 in Sahel area, 55 in Sudan-Sahel area and 20 in Sudan area. Descriptive statistics, multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical classification have been performed using R software to establish the diversity of local Guinea fowl production system and typology. Guinea fowl breeding is mainly practiced by men (93%) in a free-range production system (93%), predominant in Sahel area (80%) while semi intensive breeding system was mainly encountered in Sudan (75%) and Sudan-Sahel (82%) zones. According to interviewers, the main reasons for keeping guinea fowl compared to hen were egg quantity (76%), high price value (66%), meat quality (60%) and better productivity (36%). The main constraints rely on diseases and pests (77%), high mortality rate (65%), lack of knowledge in breeding practices (57%) and predation (54%). Moreover, to carry out their activity, guinea fowl keepers need support from extension services for capacity building. An institutional support with appropriate research in the production sector is needed to improve the living conditions of rural breeders? association mixtures, which may contribute to alleviate poverty.