The role of Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Delile in the livelihood and local economy in Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian zones of Burkina Faso: basis for its conservation

Local forests and fruit trees in sub-Saharan Africa play an important role to improve food and nutrition security, health and incomes generation. The support and the economic value of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) from tropical forests in people life has been widely investigated but several tree species' uses and contribution to households' well-being are yet to deepen. Balanites aegyptiaca is a native multipurpose tree whose several parts/organs are widely used in diversified domains. To date, the permanent gap related to B. aegyptiaca is to link the species use diversity and its economical contribution with local climate conditions, and the assessment of endogenous strategies to promote its resource conservation. This study aimed to highlight the contribution of B. aegyptiaca NTFPs in the local economy and local strategies to promote its products for endogenous conservation practices. Hence, socio-economic surveys were conducted in 120 households, five markets and nine associations across two climatic zones. Use values, use domains, economic value and local strategies for the species conservation were assessed. Results showed the used organs, and the used intensity varies significantly across climatic zones (p = 0.03). Local manufactured products are mostly from leaves and fruit. Informants reported widely almonds processing (78%). The species NTFPs are more commercialized in the Sudano-Sahelian zone (85%) compared to the Sahelian zone (15%). Average value per tree was estimated at 154 +/- 28 FCFA (0.27 USD) per season in the Sahelian zone and 426 +/- 19 FCFA or (0.74 USD) in the Sudano-Sahelian zone based only on fruit collection. Given its importance in local people life, endogenous strategies are adopted to safeguard the resource and for sustainably the species products. The multipurpose uses of B. aegyptiaca reported, the NTFPs financial benefits and the high resilience of the species show a great necessity to promote its domestication and in-situ conservation.