West African Sahel is one of the most exposed areas to the adverse effects of climate variability. All the agricultural production systems are affected, exposing local populations to food insecurity and poverty. This study aimed to assess the impacts of intra-seasonal rainfall variability and cropping practices on cereal yields in the North Central region of Burkina Faso. Daily rainfall data covering the 1984-2015 period were collected from eleven stations across the region. The agro-climatic parameters such as the onset and the end of the rainy season, its length, seasonal rainfall amount, rainy days and long dry spells in the rainy months were determined. Annual cereal yields statistics (sorghum, millet and maize) (1984-2015) were used. Data on cropping practices were taken into account in this study. The statistical methods for trends and breaks were applied to data series. Simple correlation tests were used to assess the impacts of agro-climatic parameters on cereal yields. The results showed that the North Central region of Burkina Faso experienced extreme rainfall events such as "false starts" of rainy seasons, long dry spells and early rainfall cessation. The onset of the rainy season and the long dry spells in July (duration ≥ 8 days) and August (≥ 6 days) months had negative impacts on cereal yields in the region. The results also highlighted an increase in rainfall since the 1990s and 2000s. Increased rainfall and the positive effects of changes in cropping practices affected cereal yields, which increased significantly (44 to 72%) since that period. Dissemination of climate information, adoption of improved cropping technics and supplemental irrigation are innovating practices that could increase
cereal yields in North Central Burkina Faso.

Cereal Cropping, Agricultural Vulnerability, Rainfall Extremes, Semi-Arid Area