The aim of this study was to carry out a socio-agronomic characterisation of rice farms and to determine the level of farmers’ perception of rice blast management practices in Burkina Faso.
The study was carried out in four rice-growing lowlands in the villages of Dî and Lanfièra in the Sourou Valley and Bama and Tonwogoma in the Kou Valley. A random sample of 120 rice farmers was included in the study. The results of the study indicate a very high level of illiteracy among farmers (≥40%), depending on the site, and a low level of participation by women in rice production. Farming practices are characterised by heavy use of the FKR64, FKR84 and FKR2 varieties and by heavy application of organic manure and chemical fertilisers, depending on the area. The majority of farmers recognise rice blast on their plots and use control methods such as varietal control, chemical and mechanical control and moisture control before storage. None of the farmers uses bio-pesticides in their production system. This study shows that farmers have a good knowledge of blast disease and use endogenous control methods. However, farmers are not very familiar with the use of bio-pesticides. For more efficient and healthier control, it is vital to raise farmers’ awareness of the need to use improved resistant varieties and bio-pesticides, with the support of research structures.