Burkina Faso CFPA/CAPA study materials
Burkina Faso CFPA/CAPA study resources

Burkina Faso CFPA/CAPA study plan

Burkina Faso CFPA/CAPA · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 6 hours per week

Week 1

Crop production (plant science, soil fertility, crop protection)

  • Diagram the growth cycle of the main cereals (sorghum, millet, maize) and identify the stage at which each is most vulnerable to drought

  • List the three major soil-fertility constraints of Burkina Faso soils (low organic matter, phosphorus deficiency, acidity/salinity) and explain one corrective practice for each

  • Classify 15 common crop pests and diseases of cereals and legumes by causal agent (insect, fungus, virus, weed) and the damage symptom they produce

  • Explain the role of nitrogen-fixing legumes in a cereal rotation and calculate the recommended seeding density for a cowpea intercrop

Your checkpoint

A one-page crop-protection and soil-fertility reference sheet covering at least 12 pests/diseases and 6 fertility practices, self-tested with a 20-question quiz scoring at least 80%

Week 2

Crop production (plant science, soil fertility, crop protection) & Animal production (livestock husbandry, animal health, feeding)

  • Compare three integrated pest-management strategies (cultural, biological, chemical) and justify which fits smallholder cereal production in the Sahel

  • Describe the nutritional requirements of cattle, sheep, goats and poultry and match each to locally available feed sources (crop residues, legume haulms, agro-industrial by-products)

  • Explain how to detect and manage the five most common livestock diseases in the region, distinguishing contagious from non-contagious conditions

  • Outline a vaccination and deworming calendar for a mixed smallholder herd across the dry and rainy seasons

Your checkpoint

A two-part summary (crop protection + livestock health and feeding) of at least 800 words, with a completed 25-question mixed-domain practice set at 75% or better

Week 3

Animal production (livestock husbandry, animal health, feeding)

  • Design a feeding ration for one production unit (e.g., a dairy cow or a 50-bird poultry flock) using locally available ingredients and stating quantities

  • Describe housing, hygiene and biosecurity measures that reduce mortality in a small poultry unit

  • Explain the reproductive cycle of cattle and small ruminants and identify the signs of heat and of difficult parturition

  • Produce a simple record-keeping format for animal health events and feed consumption

Your checkpoint

A complete ration-and-housing plan for one livestock unit, including a filled sample record sheet and a 15-question self-quiz at 80% or better

Week 4

Agricultural economics and farm management (accounting, marketing, cooperatives)

  • Construct a simple income statement and a balance sheet for a farm enterprise from a set of given transactions

  • Distinguish fixed, variable and sunk costs, and calculate gross margin and break-even price for one crop

  • Explain how a cooperative is formed and governed under the principles of shared membership and democratic control

  • Compare two marketing channels for a cereal or vegetable and identify the margin captured by the producer in each

Your checkpoint

A full farm budget for a one-hectare cereal-plus-livestock enterprise, including gross margin, break-even price and a one-page cooperative governance note

Week 5

Agricultural machinery, tools and equipment (operation and maintenance) & Natural resource management and environment (water, soil conservation, agroforestry)

  • Describe the correct operation, daily checks and routine maintenance of the main farm machines (tractor, plough, seed drill, sprayer, water pump)

  • Diagnose five common mechanical faults from symptoms and state the corrective action and safety precaution for each

  • Explain the principles of soil erosion by water and wind and design a combination of contour measures, hedgerows and mulching for a sloping field

  • Describe water-harvesting techniques (zai pits, half-moons, stone bunds, small dams) and match each to a slope and rainfall condition

  • Explain how agroforestry (parkland trees, live fences, windbreaks) contributes to soil fertility and microclimate

Your checkpoint

An illustrated maintenance checklist for three machines plus a soil- and water-conservation plan for a described 2-hectare sloping plot, with each measure justified

Week 6

Natural resource management and environment (water, soil conservation, agroforestry) & Rural development, extension and community organization

  • Evaluate the environmental risks of agrochemical use and propose a safe-handling and disposal protocol

  • Describe the steps of a participatory extension approach: diagnosing needs, planning with farmers, demonstrating, and following up

  • Explain the structure and function of farmer organizations and how a field agent supports group decision-making

  • Draft a short training session for farmers on one natural-resource topic, including objectives, method and evaluation

Your checkpoint

A 30-minute farmer training session plan on one natural-resource topic, with a one-page handout outline and an evaluation questionnaire

Week 7

Rural development, extension and community organization & Professional communication and entrepreneurship

  • Write a simple business plan for a small farm enterprise covering market analysis, costs, projected revenue and risk

  • Draft a professional cover letter and a one-page CV for an agricultural technician position

  • Explain the principles of effective written and oral communication with farmers, buyers and support services

  • Identify the main sources of agricultural credit and support services available to smallholders and the conditions for access

Your checkpoint

A complete mini business plan (at least 600 words) plus a one-page CV and cover letter, reviewed against a self-made checklist

Week 8

Crop production (plant science, soil fertility, crop protection) & Animal production (livestock husbandry, animal health, feeding) & Agricultural economics and farm management (accounting, marketing, cooperatives) & Agricultural machinery, tools and equipment (operation and maintenance) & Natural resource management and environment (water, soil conservation, agroforestry) & Rural development, extension and community organization & Professional communication and entrepreneurship & General subjects (French, mathematics, applied sciences)

  • Consolidate all domains by re-testing the weakest topics identified from earlier quizzes

  • Complete two full-length timed mock examinations under exam conditions

  • Review every missed question and record the underlying concept for each error

  • Confirm readiness by scoring at least 75% on the final mock and listing remaining gaps with a revision action for each

Your checkpoint

Two completed timed mock exams with a written error-analysis log and a final one-page revision sheet of the ten weakest concepts

Milestones

Week 2: Score at least 75% on a 25-question mixed crop-and-livestock practice set and explain any missed item without notes

Week 4: Produce a farm budget whose gross margin and break-even price are arithmetically correct and defensible in a five-minute oral walkthrough

Week 6: Deliver the 30-minute training session plan to a peer or mentor and receive written feedback on clarity and feasibility

Week 8: Score at least 75% on both timed mock exams and submit the error-analysis log covering every missed question