Role of climate change awareness in sustainable soil nutrient management by smallholder farms in Burkina Faso

Climate change effects are threats to the livelihood of Sub-Saharan smallholder farms. Farmers’
response and readiness to take adaptive measures depend on how they perceive (perception) and
moreover understand and recognize the causes (awareness) of climate change. Most studies used interchangeably perception and awareness to climate change. Taking the example of soil nutrient
management, this study demonstrated the importance of distinguishing awareness from perception in
climate change adaptation studies and for policy design. The study was conducted in South-western
Burkina Faso. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, 360 households were surveyed. Rainfall variation
and onset of the cropping season were used as climate change evidences to assess climate change
perception and awareness. Descriptive statistics and Z-test were run. Results showed that beyond
climate change perception, farmers largely took adaptive measures when they understand and can
explain causes of climate change. Therefore, climate change adaptation studies and policy
interventions should distinguish awareness from perception, and policy design should stress on
raising climate change awareness of smallholder farmers.