The Volta Valley Authority (AVV), created by the Government of Upper Volta in 1973 to settle and develop Volta River valleys recently freed of onchocerciasis, has encountered many difficulties in defining adequate farming practices and extension approaches. This report explores these problems and evaluates the AVV program’s socioeconomic impact. After analyzing the AVV’s agricultural program, its monitoring and evaluation procedures, and the economics of AVV farms, the authors present their findings. On the negative side, although cotton yields are good, cereals production is erratic and low; recommended crop rotation fertilization practice have not been followed; animal traction has been inadequately exploited; and the technical package being promoted is too complex. Nonetheless, settlers are given farms large enough to earn them an acceptable level of income. Future land availability has already arisen as a problem and is tied to the larger issue of ambiguous land ownership in the AVV territory. Both female and young adult male settlers lose their traditional individual fields when migrating, forcing many young adults to leave AVV territory. Social programs have been successful; settlers appreciate the availability of schools and dispensaries and are disposed toward group endeavors. The program has also fallen short of its expected national impact. The program has had only a negligible impact on reducing population pressures on the Mossi plateau and has not provided the anticipated cereals surplus. The AVV has realized that traditional Fulani herders depend on the area more than assumed and that individual migration into AVV areas is rapidly developing. A different strategy might simultaneously promote agricultural development and preserve the area’s ecology; the current approach is threatening soil fertility. The authors conclude that the AVV’s experience again demonstrates the need for development planners to learn more about traditional farming systems and the results to be anticipated from introducing new techniques. The report includes 53 graphs, tables, and figures; survey forms and data on rainfall, the 1978 crop, and market prices are appended.
