A farmer in the central plateau sits with a perplexed visage wondering why his harvest has severely plummeted from 2010 to 2011. The rainy season that started late and finished early has him kicking the dusty, clay-colored earth in his field. He looks up to the sky asking why he will not be able to feed his family this year as usual.
Meanwhile, up North in the Sahel, a mother sees her toddler’s belly is distended-suggesting malnutrition. She vigorously attempts to feed her child tô. To no avail, however, the child feverishly resists. This mother hopes for a solution that assures her baby’s survival.
Down in the Southeast, many community elders are hauling firewood from a nearby field, noticing that the soil is so arid. They observe the eucalyptus trees absorbing all nutrients from the soil like the most porous sponge. They worry the soil destruction will spread to their nearby crops, ruining their upcoming harvest.
While these stories are fictional, they are more realistic than hypothetical. This upcoming year promises to be difficult for Burkinabè, with total cereal harvests down approximately 16 percent. Many will be forced to search for other means to provide for their families. Malnourishment runs rampant all over, and one out of five children is expected to pass.
