Financial analysis of cotton fertilization under different seeding methods for sustainable crop production in Burkina Faso

Cotton sector reforms have contributed to rapid growth, with cotton accounting for about 60% of exports and driving GDP growth in Burkina Faso. The cotton production growth was achieved through the expansion of the cotton area. Increased land pressure in cotton-growing areas has led to the abandonment of soil conservation techniques, with limited use of organic fertilizers, increasing the risk of land degradation. The continuous growth in cotton production resulting from increased land area and low use of conservation agricultural practices poses a threat to sustainable cotton production in Burkina Faso. The aim of this study, conducted within the EWA BELT Project, was to evaluate tillage methods and fertilizer rates to determine the most economically viable and environmentally sustainable cotton production practices for promotion. Three treatments were identified to be financially viable. However, the reduced tillage method with fertilizer treatment (150 kg NPK + 50 kg urea + 2 t/ha organic manure) had the greatest potential to be environmentally sustainable due to the reduced tillage and use of organic fertilizer. In situations where farmers have no access to organic fertilizer, normal tillage with the recommended fertilizer rate (150 kg NPK + 50 kg urea) was most profitable.