News in Brief:
– The African Development Bank launched two major projects in Burkina Faso to boost the country’s agricultural sector and improve food security.
– These initiatives aim to strengthen resilience, support producers, and benefit women and internally displaced persons.
The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced significant new investments in Burkina Faso’s agricultural sector with the launch of two major projects recently. The ceremony, held in Ouagadougou, was presided over by Amadou Dicko, Burkina Faso’s Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fish Resources.
These initiatives, the Burkina Faso component of Project 2 of the Food and Nutrition Insecurity Resilience Programme in the Sahel (P2-P2RS) and the Integrated Maize, Soybean, Poultry and Fish Chain Development and Resilience Building Project (PIMSAR). These directly address national priorities and align with the AfDB’s strategic goals, particularly Feed Africa, Integrate Africa, and Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa.
Speaking during the ceremony, Daniel Ndoye, Head of the AfDB’s Country Office in Burkina Faso, highlighted the importance of supporting agricultural value chains. He said it was a key focus area for the Bank’s strategy in Burkina Faso between 2022 and 2025, representing its commitment to strengthening interventions in agricultural sector, especially in light of the country’s dedication to implementing its Agropastoral and Fisheries Initiative 2023-2025.
Strengthening resilience and supporting producers
Meantime, Deputy Agriculture Minister Dicko expressed his gratitude to the AfDB on behalf of the Burkina Faso government. He acknowledged the Bank’s longstanding support for the country’s development initiatives and stressed the role of the projects in implementing the Stabilisation and Development Action Plan.
Also, Aliou Badara Traoré, representing the National Chamber of Agriculture, welcomed the launch of the projects, expressing hope for rural producers.
The P2-P2RS is building upon the successes of the first phase (which was carried out between 2016 and 2022). With a €54 million allocation, the project focuses on strengthening resilience in 33 communities across six regions and targets 125,000 beneficiaries, with a focus on women and heads of households.
Meanwhile, the PIMSAR €42 million project aims to reach 30,000 direct beneficiaries (at least 50% women) in four specific regions. It will also support internally displaced persons by helping them rebuild productive capacity in their original communities or host communities.
Currently, 34% of the AfDB’s total funding in Burkina Faso, amounting to €225 million, is dedicated to the agriculture and environment sector, with current commitments exceeding €700 million.
