Research priority setting by a stepped agro-ecological approach: case study for the Sahel of Burkina Faso

A model is proposed for the identification of research issues. It includes a set of criteria to weigh the relevance of identified research projects, using an agro-ecological approach by a multidisciplinary team. In this approach, emphasis is placed on the assessment of the impact of the expected results of research projects with regard to productivity and to ecological, economical, and social sustainability. The model comprises seven steps: (1) determination of the main function(s) of a selected agro-ecological zone; (2) determination of the user-needs and indigenous knowledge; (3) determination of the constraints and potentials of the agro-ecological zone; (4) review of existing scientific knowledge and technologies; (5) identification of relevant research issues and their division over strategic and applied research; (6) prioritization and selection of themes and projects; and (7) evaluation of personnel, material and funds. A case study is presented of the Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso. Illustration of the model with this degraded area where sustainability is an actual and important issue allows a discussion on the advantages and limitations of this agro-ecological approach for research prioritization.