Burkina Faso: President Ibrahim Traoré’s vision of food self-sufficiency takes shape with harvests at the Bagré growth centre
On Saturday, January 6, 2024, the Minister of State for Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Jean Emmanuel OUEDRAOGO, accompanied by other government officials, visited the Bagré Growth Hub to harvest the results of their agricultural efforts. This initiative aligns with President Ibrahim Traoré’s vision for food self-sufficiency, a key objective of the Transition.
At the National Agency for the Valorization of Research and Innovation Results (ANVAR) site, Minister Jean Emmanuel OUÉDRAOGO personally cultivated the KBR 24 rice variety in his designated field.
The field monitor, Levi RIBOU, a student in Agro-Food, estimated the yield of this variety at 8 tons per hectare over a period of 110 days.
The Minister of State expressed satisfaction with the work done on the cultivated land, emphasizing the significance of food self-sufficiency in the Transition’s priorities.
He announced his intention to distribute a portion of his harvest free of charge to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the region, acknowledging their essential contribution to the success of this on-the-ground activity.
Jean Emmanuel OUÉDRAOGO highlighted that the productions of government members serve as an example and an invitation to all Burkinabe.
He encouraged the population to realize that domestic agricultural production can liberate them from external dependence.
The government members’ approach extends beyond achieving food self-sufficiency; it also contributes to showcasing the results of research by Burkinabe scientists.
Researchers and academic researchers actively work on developing numerous varieties each year, some of which need to be approved to guarantee their quality and yield.
This harvest day at the Bagré Growth Hub symbolizes an unprecedented step towards realizing the presidential vision of food self-sufficiency. The concrete actions of government members underscore the importance of everyone’s involvement in building a Burkina Faso that is independent in terms of food.
Cedric KABORE
