A study published on September 19, 2026, examines the organization and interactions of actors in Burkina Faso's livestock-meat sector. The research aims to identify the actors, their organizational structure, and the types of links between them. The study focuses on the Guiriko region in western Burkina Faso and explores the sector through a sociological analysis. The livestock-meat sector in Burkina Faso and other Sahel countries is a significant reservoir of animal production and marketing.
According to a 2019 study by SNV, the West African livestock population is mainly composed of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. Burkina Faso has an estimated 35 million ruminants, ranking third after its Sahel neighbors. The growing demand for meat in Sahel countries and coastal countries poses a challenge for Burkina Faso to respond. The study seeks to answer whether the current configuration and functioning of the sector's different links can meet the increasing demand for meat.
The study adopted a relational approach, using several complementary theories, including symbolic interactionism and network analysis. The research focused on eight communes selected for their status as cattle transit communes and the dynamism of their actors in the sector. A sample of 151 actors was considered, including 68 producers, 34 cattle traders, 34 transformers, and 15 input suppliers. The study used qualitative methods, including questionnaires and semi-directive interviews.
An initial workshop was organized before the field phase to make an initial diagnosis in the presence of local leaders of the sector. The study's axes included socio-economic characteristics, knowledge of the current organizational architecture, and the types of partnerships and objectives. The results of the study echo those of existing research, highlighting structural problems such as inadequate infrastructure and services.
The study found that the configuration of the network of actors reflects a game of interdependencies determined by symbolic powers. The influences of actors on each other depend on their strategic positioning in the chain of circulation of flows in the sector. The research also notes that the precariousness of communication routes and the weak enthusiasm of public policies are structural obstacles to the sector.
The study's findings are consistent with a 2008 regional study on "Livestock and Regional Market in the Sahel and West Africa: Potentialities and Challenges." The research highlights the need for a structural refoundation of the sector's landscape to respond to the growing demand for meat. The study's results can inform policies and strategies to improve the sector's functioning.
The study's authors note that the livestock-meat sector in Burkina Faso and West Africa faces significant challenges. The research provides insights into the organization and interactions of actors in the sector, which can help address these challenges. The study's findings can contribute to the development of effective policies and strategies to improve the sector's performance and respond to the growing demand for meat.
Key points
- The study examines the organization and interactions of actors in Burkina Faso's livestock-meat sector.
- The research highlights structural problems, including inadequate infrastructure and services.
- The study's findings can inform policies and strategies to improve the sector's functioning.
