From 18 to 19 November 2024, a strategic training course was held in Boromo, in the Boucle du Mouhoun region of Burkina Faso, for members of the onion innovation platform. The aim of this initiative was to build producers’ capacity to deal more effectively with the pests and diseases that affect onion crops.
Some 29 participants from various provinces in the Boucle du Mouhoun region came together to benefit from the advice and techniques provided by experts from the Regional Department of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries (DRARAH). These sessions will enable farmers to master effective pest control methods, a crucial factor in increasing their productivity and, ultimately, maximising their income.
The training course was officially opened by the Provincial Director of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries for the Bale region, representing the Regional Director. She praised the commitment of the participants and stressed the importance of these platforms for the development of local agricultural sectors.
Agricultural innovation platforms, such as the one in the Boucle du Mouhoun region, are ideal places for sharing knowledge, testing solutions adapted to local realities and networking the various players involved. By promoting the adoption of good agricultural practices and access to appropriate technologies, these platforms not only help to improve the management of plant health challenges, but also help to improve food security and the livelihoods of rural communities.
The training was part of the activities of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), a programme funded by the World Bank. FSRP places particular emphasis on supporting local initiatives such as innovation platforms, which play a key role in empowering producers in the face of climatic and economic hazards. With this training session, the region’s growers are leaving better equipped to meet the challenges posed by pests and diseases. This proactive approach illustrates the importance of innovation platforms in the sustainable transformation of African agriculture.
These collaborative structures, supported by public and private players, provide frameworks for testing and disseminating agricultural innovations. They are now recognised as a key tool for accelerating the modernisation of food systems in West Africa.
In the Boucle du Mouhoun region, the future of the onion looks promising, thanks to initiatives such as this one, which illustrate the importance of innovation and capacity-building in building a resilient and prosperous agricultural sector.
