Natural Resource Management and Environment
Water and soil conservation
Burkina Faso faces erratic rainfall, erosion and land degradation. Know the techniques: stone bunds (cordons pierreux), zaï pits, half-moons, contour ridges, mulching, and composting. Understand how each technique slows runoff, traps sediment and improves infiltration. Trap: candidates confuse zaï (planting pits filled with manure) with half-moons (larger semicircular basins on degraded land). Another trap: stone bunds must follow contour lines, not slope lines.
Agroforestry
Know the role of trees such as Faidherbia albida, shea, néré, baobab and moringa. Understand the principles of assisted natural regeneration (RNA) and the benefits: shade, nitrogen fixation, fodder, fruit and fuelwood. Trap: Faidherbia albida sheds its leaves in the rainy season and keeps them in the dry season - the opposite of most trees - which makes it compatible with crops.
Environment and climate
Understand climate change impacts (drought, irregular rains, heat), adaptation strategies, and the fight against deforestation and bush fires. Know the role of protected areas and the sustainable management of woodlands.
Worked rule of thumb
For stone bunds, the spacing depends on slope: about 20 m on gentle slopes, 15 m on moderate slopes, and 10 m or less on steep slopes. A useful rule is that halving the slope doubles the spacing. Always check that the bund follows the contour.