TITLE:
From Structural Vulnerability to Sustainable Intensification: Diagnosis of Perimeter Security Systems and Technological Arbitration of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) Producers in Burkina Faso
AUTHORS:
Aboubacar Kevin Hebie, Issouf Zida, Patrice Balma, Wendkouni Marguerite Bamogo, Ursula Schinzel
KEYWORDS:
Crop Protection, Manihot esculenta, Technological Adoption, Burkina Faso
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.17 No.10,
October
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Crop protection is a crucial yet underexplored aspect of agricultural systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. This research examines protection methods in Manihot esculenta Crantz cropping systems in Burkina Faso. Producers from three regions provided data, which were subsequently examined using descriptive statistics. The analysis reveals a high percentage of unprotected farms (57.7%), indicating a structural reliance on open perimeter systems rather than direct measurements of animal damage or quantitative loss rates. Traditional methods based on local resources, such as cereal and cassava stalks, largely predominate, whereas the integration of contemporary technologies remains restricted. Even though certain regions are beginning to evolve toward more advanced solutions, adoption is heavily hindered by financial constraints, insufficient access to dissemination services, and limited spread of innovations. These findings reveal that the integration of crop protection is still low within production systems. This study helps to better understand the mechanisms of technological adoption and risk management within agricultural systems. The optimization of protection systems stands out as an essential tool to increase productivity, reduce vulnerability, and support the transition to more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in Sub-Saharan Africa.