Burkina Faso

Following the capacity-building workshop organised in Bamako by CORAF and the Bioversity International and CIAT Alliance, as part of the Accelerating the Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) project, the stakeholders of the Food System Resilience Programme (PRSA/FSRP) strengthened their knowledge of the implementation of Climate Intelligent Villages (CIVs). Following this training, the PRSA Burkina Faso (PRSA-BF) held a national feedback workshop in Manga, from 30 September to 4 October 2024, to draw up an action plan for the implementation of VICs in the country.

The event, which brought together researchers, meteorological experts, NGO representatives and stakeholders from the agro-sylvo-pastoral sector, was marked by the participation of Dr Robert Zougmore, Programme Director of AICCRA, Alliance Bioversity and CIAT. The main objective was to provide the FSRP-BF with a concrete action plan for integrating ICVs into its intervention zones, based on the pilot experience of the climate-smart village of Ouda, in the Centre-Sud region.

The VIC approach, initially introduced by the CCAFS programme, has proved promising for the development of climate-smart technologies and innovations in West Africa. It promotes a participatory approach to the development of solutions adapted to climate change, integrating technological, institutional and socio-economic innovations, as well as climate-smart policies.

The Manga workshop provided an opportunity to consolidate knowledge of ICVs, particularly with regard to the formulation and implementation of this approach. A field trip to Ouda enabled participants to observe the concrete benefits of climate-smart technologies, such as the use of improved seeds, organic manure and biopesticides, as well as agroclimatic services. Discussions with the Ouda community illustrated how these technologies are helping to improve people's resilience in the face of climatic hazards and to increase agricultural yields.

During the three-day workshop, participants worked on developing an action plan for implementing ICV in Burkina Faso. Discussions focused on the selection of pilot villages, land tenure security, institutional anchoring, and the identification of stakeholders and risks. It was agreed to set up four VICs: one in the Kou sub-basin, one in the Sirba, and two in the Lower Mouhoun.

The action plan drawn up includes a detailed timetable and an operational mechanism that will be incorporated into the FSRP-BF's 2025 Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWPB), once it has been validated by the World Bank. This plan marks a decisive step towards the adoption of climate-smart solutions and reinforces the FSRP-BF's commitment to promoting the resilience of rural communities through the dissemination of climate-adapted technologies.

The objectives of the workshop were fully achieved, providing the FSRP-BF with a strategic framework for the implementation of ICVs in its intervention zones. The success of this approach should enable the FSRP-BF's results to be amplified, in particular by contributing to the achievement of indicators linked to the dissemination of climate-smart technologies and the resilience of food systems.

In summary, the Climate Smart Villages initiative in Burkina Faso is part of a broader strategy to position rural communities on a sustainable path towards food and nutrition security, while incorporating the principles integrated landscape management and climate-smart agriculture. The results achieved in Manga augur a promising future for climate resilience in Burkina Faso and beyond.

The Permanent Secretary for the Coordination of Agricultural Sectoral Policies, Mr Yassia KINDO, chaired the workshop to launch the process of implementing the agricultural trade and market scorecard (EATM Scorecard), on Wednesday 17 April 2024, in Ouagadougou.

The Agricultural Trade and Market Scorecard (EATM Scorecard) is an analytical tool designed to better document intra-regional trade in agri-food products and to strengthen the implementation of regional policies.

It was developed and implemented as part of the West African Food Systems Resilience Programme (PRSA) under component three on regional trade integration of the said programme.

According to Yves Gérard BAZIE, National Coordinator of the EATM Scorecard, the ultimate aim of this tool is to strengthen the resilience of food systems by improving intra-regional trade in agricultural and food products. He explained that a national technical team, made up of state and non-state actors involved in the trade of agricultural products, has already been set up to lead EATM Scorecard activities in Burkina Faso.

The practical phase of the work will involve collecting information on trade in agricultural products to feed into the EATM Scorecard platform. The technical team will then be responsible for reporting on the indicators generated as part of the management of this tool.

The major innovation of the EATM Scorecard compared with other existing platforms is that it deals exclusively with agricultural products. This is a very important tool for Burkina Faso, as it will provide decision-makers with quality data to monitor national policies in terms of trade in agricultural products, and to correct any malfunctions.

The authorities present at the workshop invited all those involved in the trade of agricultural products to cooperate openly in data collection operations.

Stakeholders and partners in Burkina Faso's food system came together to discuss the main activities and priority actions with a view to putting in place innovative mechanisms for adapting to climate change.

In Burkina Faso, carbon projects are playing an increasingly important role in efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainable development.

That is why this meeting, initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries (MARAH), was aimed at building the capacity of specialists in climate change, in preparation for the implementation of carbon projects under the West African Food System Resilience Programme, Burkina Faso Component (FSRP-BF).

The discussions made it possible to assess the institutional and organisational capacities required, to present the requirements for the data and management of carbon projects, to identify shortcomings and needs, and to draw up a joint work plan for all stakeholders in order to develop quality projects.

Carbon projects promote climate-friendly farming practices, improve energy efficiency on farms and encourage the use of renewable energy sources. They involve implementing mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by sequestering carbon. The aim is to mitigate the effects of climate change and increase agricultural productivity and household income through the sale of sequestered carbon.

It is important to note that implementing carbon projects requires coordination between local, national and international players, as well as significant financial and technical investment. Awareness-raising and education initiatives will be implemented to inform local populations about the challenges of climate change and encourage them to adopt more sustainable practices.

Carbon projects to be implemented under the FSRP-BF will benefit from technical support from partners such as the REDD+ technical secretariats, UNIQUE and TIPAALGA.

The Burkina Faso component of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (PRSA) has organised seed and fertiliser distribution sessions for a number of farmers in the north of the country.

Chaired by the Minister for Agriculture and the Governor of the North, these seed and fertiliser distribution sessions are aimed at strengthening the resilience of producers during the dry season, which is marked by a lack of water. The northern region of Burkina Faso, which mainly produces market garden produce, is facing food insecurity due in part to drought and civil unrest. As a result, 19,022 tonnes of seeds and 1,250 tonnes of fertiliser have been provided to producers to boost market garden production, one of the key value chains of the Burkina Faso FSRP.

In line with the government's commitment to ensuring food sovereignty for the people of Burkina Faso by 2025, the FSRP is being implemented in the Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-East, Centre-West, Centre-South, East, Hauts-Bassins and North regions, with financial support from the World Bank and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP).

Environmental and social issues involving gender-based violence/sexual exploitation and abuse/sexual harassment (GBV/SEA/HS) play a key role in the implementation of the activities of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (PRSA-BF). To this end, and to ensure that its activities such as hydro-agricultural development, the financing of micro-projects and the construction of infrastructure, among others, are carried out properly, the PRSA-BF has commissioned a study to assess the impact of the programme on the food system in West Africa, In June 2021, the PRSA-BF commissioned the development of environmental and social safeguard instruments, in particular 𝐥𝐞𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐆𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐞 (𝐂𝐆𝐄𝐒 ), 𝐥𝐞𝐂𝐚𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐑 é𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 ( )     𝐂𝐏𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐆𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐏𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬    (𝐏𝐆𝐏𝐏 ).             

To assess these instruments, the Technical Committee on Environmental Assessments (𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐄 ), under the auspices of the Agence Nationale Des Evaluations Environ-nementales (𝐀𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄 ), organised a working session in Ziniaré (Plateau-Central region) in August 2023. Chaired by Dramane SAVADOGO, Director of Strategic Environmental Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments/ANEVE, the session was conducted in plenary session by a multidisciplinary group and was marked by presentations on the three (3) documents to be examined.

Koumbéyao Jean-Homère SOMDA, PRSA-BF Environmental Protection Specialist, presented the𝐂𝐆𝐄𝐒 and websites. 𝐏𝐆𝐏𝐏𝐂𝐏𝐑 was presented by Panbagnounou LANOU, Social Development Specialist. These presentations, which were followed by discussions, led to recommendations and validation of the various documents, subject to COTEVE's observations being taken into account.

The validation of the environmental and social safeguard instruments means that the West African Food System Resilience Programme in Burkina Faso now complies with the ECOWAS legislative and regulatory framework and the World Bank's Environmental and Social Standards.

Increasing the supply of quality seeds and boosting entrepreneurship among women and young people in the seed sector is the overall objective of the training sessions for players in seed companies selected in seven regions of Burkina Faso (Boucle du Mouhoun, Centre-West, Hauts-Bassins, North, Centre-South, Centre-East and East).

Organised by the National Coordination of the West African Food System Resilience Programme in Burkina Faso, these training sessions were led by experts from the Directorate General of Plant Protection (DGPV) and the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) of Burkina Faso, and facilitated by the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF).

In Koudougou, in the Centre-West region, from 08 to 11 August, PRSA Burkina Faso helped to build the capacity of more than 70 women and young people in the multiplication, conservation and marketing of quality seeds, and in the management of seed companies

The shared modules provided participants with essential knowledge for the production, processing and marketing of quality and bio-fortified seeds (with a focus on vegetable seeds). In addition, learners acquired skills in setting up and managing seed companies, all of which will enable them to be leaders in the quality seed value chain.

After the Centre-West region, PRSA Burkina Faso plans to build the capacity of other players in the Centre-South region. Through these training courses, PRSA aims to promote the inclusive scaling-up of quality seeds in Burkina Faso and throughout West Africa.

Burkina Faso has had its national rice observatory platform since 25 July 2023. The establishment of the team responsible for implementing rice development activities was preceded by a training and awareness-raising session for the main public and private players in the rice sector in Burkina Faso.

With the support of the Executive Secretary of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, Dr Boladalé, key stakeholders in rice development in Burkina Faso gained a better understanding of the ECOWAS Rice Offensive, which was adopted in 2014 for a sustainable revival of rice farming in West Africa and to support Member States' national rice development strategies with a view to achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2025. In order to facilitate and accelerate the implementation of the Rice Offensive, ECOWAS has created the Rice Observatory as a partnership and coordination mechanism to catalyse the development of the rice sector in West Africa.

For a region-wide impact, it is essential to have national platforms established in the various Member States in collaboration with national rice grower groups and with the support of partners.

The process of setting up the national platform of the Burkina Faso Rice Observatory took place in various stages, punctuated by initial consultations with the main stakeholders.

This platform has a heavy responsibility to organise stakeholders and facilitate the implementation of the rice offensive in Burkina Faso in order to achieve synergy and better coordination of initiatives related to the rice sector, and public and private investments. The team from the food system resilience programme has also been asked to support the activities of the Burkina Faso Rice Observatory platform, whose team has been officially set up and includes stakeholders and partners from the public and private sectors, research institutions, financial institutions and civil society. In addition to building the capacity of rice sector stakeholders, the national platform team, led by KIE Georges, will also map stakeholders, collect data and communicate regularly on the development of the rice value chain in Burkina Faso.

From 25 to 28 May 2023, the Institut de l'environnement et de recherches agricoles (INERA) organised the fourteenth edition of the Foire aux semences améliorées de plantes in Ouagadougou, under the theme "Contribution des résultats de la recherche agricole à la résilience des populations et à l'employabilité des jeunes et des femmes: cas des semences améliorées dans le contexte de crises sécuritaires et alimentaires".

The poor use of seed research results is not conducive to better agricultural yields. To remedy this situation, INERA organises an annual fair to promote improved seeds and innovative agricultural production technologies and systems.  According to Dr Hamidou Traoré, Director of INERA, "supplying producers with improved seeds, in quantity and quality, can be a solution to the fight against food insecurity and contribute to wealth creation, while empowering more young people and women in agriculture". It is this objective and the worrying security and food situation in the Sahel, and in Burkina Faso in particular, that have motivated the choice of theme for the 2023 fair," he added.

He added that "for the 2023-2024 wet season, 2,166 tonnes mineral fertiliser, 1,582 tonnes of seed of improved varieties, 358 tonnes of fodder seed, 305 units of motorised equipment and 2,500 tonnes animal feed will be made available to producers at subsidised prices".

The 2023 edition of the Fair for Improved Plant Seeds was marked by information, communication and awareness-raising ; technical capacity-building activities for users of research products; and the sale of basic seeds and seedlings produced by the Institute for the Environment and Agricultural Research. A number of seed growers and agricultural producers from the 13 regions of Burkina Faso took part in the event.

This activity took place as part of the implementation of the West African food system resilience programme in Burkina Faso, for which INERA is the national specialisation centre   on fruit and vegetables (CNS-FL). The CNS-FL is working, among other things, to promote research and the dissemination of quality seeds, through the seed fair, which brings research results closer to the people and helps to disseminate them. 

In Burkina Faso, thanks to the Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) financed by the World Bank with a contribution from the Burkina Faso government, around 120 million US dollars (72 billion CFA francs) have been mobilised to support 100,000 vulnerable households, i.e. 650,000 people, including 325,000 women and young people, and to help develop 26,000 hectares. 

These beneficiaries from 7 regions of Burkina Faso (Haut-Bassins, Boucle du Mouhoun, North, Centre-West, East, Centre-East and Centre-South) will receive specific support to produce and market their products in a more stable environment due to the cross-border location of the target areas.

To achieve this, "the FSRP will provide climatic and hydro-meteorological information to help farmers in the target areas plan their production according to climatic events and weather conditions. This digital advice will help them to make informed decisions regarding the choice of seeds, sowing periods, production zones, as well as the possible occurrence of natural disasters such as floods," emphasised Mr Edouard SANOU, Coordinator of the FSRP-Burkina Faso, during awareness-raising sessions for FSRP beneficiaries.

To facilitate trade and commerce in agricultural products, the FSRP will implement market-related mechanisms by helping to remove trade barriers and road harassment to facilitate intra-regional trade and increase profits.

Research for development is at the heart of the FSRP, which will help to build research capacity for fruit and vegetables. The Institut de l'Environnement et des Recherches Agricoles (INERA), Burkina Faso's national research centre, will be strengthened to play the role of regional centre of excellence for fruit and vegetables in West Africa. In addition, infrastructure will be made available to farmers to support hydro-agricultural projects and the restoration of degraded land.

Various forms of support will be provided for agricultural projects and micro-projects in terms of equipment, with beneficiaries contributing up to 50%. The programme also provides for the introduction of technologies accessible to women and young people, and initiatives to develop nearly 26,000 hectares, including the rehabilitation of the Bama agricultural lowland.

From 3 to 7 April 2023, stakeholders and partners from the 7 target regions of Burkina Faso were briefed on the objectives, expected results, implementation strategies and institutional and organisational arrangements of the PRSF in Burkina Faso, in order to familiarise themselves with national and World Bank procedures and gain a better understanding of the targeting strategy and the modus operandi for knowledge management, gender mainstreaming and environmental and social safeguards.

The West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) is a major initiative aimed at strengthening the region's capacity to cope with food and climate crises. Conceived by ECOWAS and its technical arms CORAF and CILSS, and funded by the World Bank, the FSRP is a joint effort to help stakeholders meet the challenges they face.

The PRSF has a multi-phase approach. The first phase of the programme, worth US$395.74 million, including US$330 million from the World Bank, benefits four countries: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Togo, and three regional institutions (ECOWAS, CILSS and CORAF). The second phase, worth US$315 million, targets three countries: Ghana, Sierra Leone and Chad.

As part of the implementation of components 2 and 3 of the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), Burkina Faso (FSRP-BF), a microproject co-financing process has been in place since November 2023. The aim of this mechanism is to support promising initiatives by players and promoters in the country’s strategic agri-food sectors, by improving access to the financial and technical resources needed to increase the productivity, competitiveness and incomes of beneficiaries. The sectors concerned include rice, maize, cowpeas, onions, tomatoes, moringa, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and certain fruit crops.

Following a selection process, a total of 304 micro-projects were selected, representing various links in the value chains of the selected sectors. Subsidies were allocated to beneficiaries to facilitate the implementation of their projects, thereby strengthening local capacities for the production and processing of agricultural products.

To guarantee the quality of the agri-food products produced by these micro-projects, the FSRP-BF, in partnership with the Agence Burkinabè de Normalisation, de la Métrologie et de la Qualité (ABNORM), organised a training session from 28 to 29 October 2024 in Koudougou. The training session provided an opportunity to raise awareness and train players in the processing chain on quality standards and the product certification process. More than 52 promoters, including 40 women, from the maize, cowpea, tomato and orange-fleshed sweet potato sectors benefited from this essential training.

The participants received in-depth training on various key aspects of production and processing, including food standardisation, certification requirements, good manufacturing and hygiene practices, as well as packaging, labelling and legal metrology. This capacity-building will not only enable them to improve the quality of their products, but also to access more lucrative markets.

The training is part of a strategic approach to promoting food security and the resilience of agricultural systems in Burkina Faso. It represents an essential lever for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector, by bringing local products into line with international quality standards. The aim of these efforts is to make Burkina Faso products more competitive on national and international markets, thereby helping to improve living conditions for producers and strengthening the country’s food sovereignty.