Research Article
Impact of Village Savings and Loan Associations on Improving the Resilience of Vulnerable Populations to Climate Change in the Central West Region of Burkina Faso
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, April 2026
Pages:
29-43
Received:
26 January 2026
Accepted:
27 February 2026
Published:
16 March 2026
Abstract: Climate change negatively affects the production systems and producer’s incomes. This study assesses the impact of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) on strengthening the resilience of vulnerable populations to climate change. Data were collected through focus groups with 41 VSLA and a survey of 210 households VSLA members and non-members, using Holistic Self-Assessment of Peasant Resilience tool. Analysis of variance was applied to the data. The Newman-Keuls test at 5% threshold was used to compare resilience scores, and the chi-square test was applied. The number of VSLA is increasing in Central West region of Burkina Faso. The VSLA of first generation mobilized a yearly average of 1 522 401 F CFA and gave 895 941 F CFA of credits. Their main strengths are solidarity, social cohesion, collect of savings and credit access. VSLA members showed significantly higher resilience scores across social, economic, and environmental domains, particularly in income diversification (p<0.01), land management (p<0.001), and reforestation practices (p<0.001). VSLA contributes significantly to improve social, economic and environmental resilience scores for the vulnerable communities. For the successful operation of VSLA, it’s important to establish partnerships with financial institutions to promote financial inclusion and strengthen actors capacities for more impacts.
Abstract: Climate change negatively affects the production systems and producer’s incomes. This study assesses the impact of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) on strengthening the resilience of vulnerable populations to climate change. Data were collected through focus groups with 41 VSLA and a survey of 210 households VSLA members and non-members...
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Research Article
Cash Crop Production and Household Food Security Among Smallholder Subsistence Farmers in Lower Shabelle, Somalia: Evidence from a Household Survey
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 2, April 2026
Pages:
44-56
Received:
20 February 2026
Accepted:
18 March 2026
Published:
10 April 2026
Abstract: Agriculture remains the primary livelihood for rural households in Somalia, yet food insecurity persists due to recurrent droughts, conflict, and weak institutional support, raising important questions about whether cash crop production can meaningfully improve household resilience and food security under subsistence farming systems. This study examines the relationship between cash crop production and household food security among smallholder subsistence farmers in Afgoye District, Lower Shabelle, Somalia. In fragile agricultural systems, farmers often face trade-offs between producing food for household consumption and cultivating cash crops for income. Understanding how these decisions affect food security is critical for policy and development interventions. Primary data were collected from 60 farming households using a structured survey conducted between July 2018 and March 2019. The study employed descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and Spearman correlation analysis to assess the association between income sources, farmers’ perceptions, and food deficit status. The results show that 58.3% of households experienced food deficit, indicating widespread food insecurity. Chi-square tests revealed no significant association between income sources and food deficit (e.g., maize/sorghum sale: χ² = 2.336, p = 0.126). Similarly, logistic regression results were not statistically significant (χ² = 2.828, p = 0.587), although maize and sorghum sales showed a negative coefficient, suggesting a potential protective tendency. Overall, the findings suggest that while households engage in multiple income-generating activities, food security outcomes are influenced by broader structural factors such as production variability, climatic conditions, and resource constraints. The study highlights the need for integrated agricultural strategies that balance income generation with food availability at the household level.
Abstract: Agriculture remains the primary livelihood for rural households in Somalia, yet food insecurity persists due to recurrent droughts, conflict, and weak institutional support, raising important questions about whether cash crop production can meaningfully improve household resilience and food security under subsistence farming systems. This study exa...
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Boundia Alexandre Thiombiano
