Determinants of the Exploitation of Groundwater Resources of the Alluvial Plain of Karfiguela

The alluvial plain of Karfiguela, located in the western part of Burkina Faso, has significant surface and groundwater potential. However, its surface water resources are under pressure due to the combined effect of agricultural areas and the increasing number of farmers, driven by population growth. Studies have shown that the plain contains a very important and accessible aquifer that, however, remains underutilized. In this context, understanding the determinants of the use of alluvial aquifer waters. The objective of the study is to analyse the factors that determine the exploitation of groundwater to address the shortage of surface water for irrigation purposes. The methodological approach adopted involves conducting a survey among farmers and their organizations. The results reveal that the low exploitation of this resource is attributed to several factors, including the high cost of drilling wells and the lack of awareness regarding the availability and accessibility of the alluvial aquifer. The reliability of these results is limited by the low level of participation from some farmers in the data collection process, which was influenced by negative past experiences.