The statistical figures of the significant impact made by the President of the Transition Government in Burkina Faso and Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traore, specifically in the agricultural sector are simply fascinating and should provide food – for – thought for those interested in the economic development of the African continent. After being sworn in on October 21,2022 he came up with the Presidential Initiative for Agricultural Production (2023-2024). That was part of the Offensive Agro pastoral and Fisheries Development (2023-2025). Interestingly, in 2023 agriculture contributed 16.33 % to get the Gross Domestic Product, GDP. 29.25% contribution came from the industry sector while 43.64% was from the services sector.
In fact, the country ‘s GDP accelerated from $18.8 billion to $22 1 billion within Traore’s two years in office. Exciting, is it not? Of course, it is. A breakdown shows it.
In specific terms, two tomato processing plants- the first-ever of such in Burkina Faso -were established. That was responsible for the increase in tomato production from 315,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 360,000 metric tonnes in 2024. Furthermore, the government built the second cotton processing plant in the country. This was boosted with the first-ever National Support Centre for Artisanal Cotton Processing to assist the local cotton farmers.
With the provision of access to improved hybrid seedlings seedlings and several farm inputs millet production rose from 907,000 metric tonnes tonnes in 2022 to 1.1 million metric tonnes in 2024. Similarly, rice production increased from 280,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 326,000 metric tonnes in 2024. Still, the economic indicators point to massive improvement in both agricultural production and that of industrialization. One reason responsible for these is the sustained support of the much-needed inputs by the Traore-led government.
For instance, in May 2024, the president made delivery of agro pastoral equipment and inputs to Burkinabe producers. These included tractors, tillers, motor pumps, phytosanitory and veterinary products and motor cycles all worth 78 billion FCFA. The young ones were advised to organize themselves into cooperatives in order to benefit from the government support. So impressed was the Minister of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources, Commander Ismael Sombie that he stated that the inputs made by the government will “enable production to be increased substantially and allow food sufficiency to be achieved”.
To increase the support of inputs to the farmers the Livestock Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PRECEL) contributed 120 motor cycles and 206 tonnes of fodder seeds. That was in addition of over 400 tractors, 239 tillers, 710 motor pumps, and 714 motor cycles from the government to support rural stakeholders. But of great importance are the lasting lessons to learn from these laudable initiatives.
The first is self-belief and reliance. Traore had an insightful evaluation of the resources God has blessed Burkina Faso with and decided to add value to them instead of looking to the so called more advanced economies and asking for their support. With a bold political will he rejected loans from the International Monetary Fund, IMF, the World Bank, Europe and America. In fact, he took another giant step forward by paying off all debts owed to these organizations and countries.
The next laudable move was that of prudence and instituting servant -leadership. He reduced the salaries of ministers and parliamentarians by 30% while increasing that of the long-suffering civil servants by 50%! Commendable, is it not? Of course, it is. If wishes were horses….
Another remarkable step taken forward is that of supporting the improvement on agricultural production with solid infrastructural development. By providing good access roads that are safe and secure it would reduce food losses between the rural areas of production and the food processing companies, mostly located in the cities. With the additional expenditure on Hi-Tech processing, preservation and packaging techniques, Burkina Faso will soon be competing with Tanzania as the Food Basket of the African continent.
According to the Recent Economic Development indices the country ‘s GDP increased in the First Quarter of 2024, Q1 2024 by +4.0% y/y to reach 3.7%. in addition, the growth in the agricultural sector was above average, especially in the cereal crops. And as it was predicted extreme poverty has since decreased over the medium term. That is quality political leadership for you.
So far, these achievements in Burkina Faso’s agric sector are more in tandem with the piece of advice given by Dr. Akinwumi Adesina President African Development Bank, AfDB on the best way to go on the continent. As the promoter of the ‘Feed Africa’ strategy, with the noble aim to end hunger and malnutrition in Africa by 2025 he has suggested investment in commercial farms, especially in rural areas If done properly it would increase productivity.
There should also be support for small scale farmers to have access to new varieties of crops that are both heat-tolerant and water-efficient, to increase yields. Not left out is the use of technology with mobile phones and digital platforms to enable farmers to vital information on weather forecasts and market prices to improve on productivity. But that would succeed if farmers support efforts being made to build resilience to the debilitating effects of climate change.
Furthermore, supporting young entrepreneurs and improving governance by demanding for financial accountability from those in government are also important. That would ensure that funds allocated for the agric sector through the budgets and grants from international donor agencies are utilized for the purposes intended and as at when due.
Other solid steps to take include the practice of organic farming as well as the use of genetically modified crops to increase yields and reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, which have their side effects. Another policy as advanced by Akinwumi is massive industrialization, as President Traore has kick-started in Burkina Faso is the surest way to go.
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