Socio-Economic Characterization of Local Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) Populations in three Agro-Ecological Zones of Burkina Faso

Background: The guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) is widespread in Burkina Faso in a traditional system, where it is bred in freedom. The objective of this study was to characterize, at the socioeconomic level, local populations of guinea fowl at three agro-economic zones. Methods: The study was conducted in three agro-ecological zones (Sahelian zone, northern Sudan zone, and southern Sudan zone) of Burkina Faso. To do this, 120 breeders due to 40 breeders per zone were the subject of socioeconomic surveys. Results: The results show that training in poultry farming and schooling of livestock farmers were higher in the south (60% and 43%) than in the north and the Sahel. In guinea fowl management, women's participation is higher in the north than in the two zones (southern and Sahel) where the participation of children and men was high. In the Sahel, production was primarily intended for self-consumption and donations (75%), while in the north and south it is heavily used for breeding and sales (60%). The average price of guinea fowl and egg was higher in the south (3000 and 75 FCFA), followed by that of the Sahel (2500 and 60 FCFA) and the north (2200 and 50 FCFA). The major constraints were health problems and brutal deaths in the south, north and sahel (60%). Conclusion: It emerges from the study that in the Sahel the social aspect is important, in the north; the activity was more monetarized while in the south the self-consumption is remarkable. Key-words: Burkina Faso, Characterization, Guinea fowl, Numida meleagris, Socioeconomic