In 2004/2005 a devastating drought in Burkina Faso highlighted the importance of food diversification for the millions of farmers struggling to make a living off the land.
Christian Aid partner Reseau Marp decided to start a small scale livestock breeding project which would give farmers an alternative source of income if their crops failed.
The breeding project includes sheep, cattle, goats and poultry.
The animals not only provide milk, eggs and meat but their droppings are used as fertiliser to provide precious nourishment to the dry land.
During good harvests the farmers use animals like a savings account, allowing them to sell them in order to get money for medical treatment or school fees.
Reseau Marp identifies families in particular need of assistance and provides them with a male and female animals. The families then embark on a small scale breeding project and the following year they return one of the offspring to the project. These animals are then paired up and handed on to another family and so the scheme is self-sustaining.