Burkina Faso launches US$200M program to train 8,000 young farmers
BURKINA FASO – Burkina Faso has launched a US$200 million training program aimed at equipping 8,000 young people with agricultural skills.
The initiative, part of the country’s push for food self-sufficiency, will equip thousands of young people with the skills needed for sustainable farming.
On March 4, the Ministry of Agriculture initiated the first phase of the program, enrolling 2,000 young participants in an intensive three-month training.
The training is being conducted in partnership with the National Office of Major Projects as part of the Presidential Initiative for Agricultural Production and Food Self-Sufficiency (IP-P3A). The program, running from 2024 to 2025, is backed by a total budget of 121 billion CFA francs ($200 million).
“The training of these young people will be done in the various training centers at the level of the Ministry of Agriculture and the vocational training centers at the level of the municipalities. It will provide these learners with the necessary rudiments, in order to support initiatives for agricultural production and the Agropastoral and Fisheries Offensive,” said Gaoussou Sanou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Upon completion, participants will receive plots of land to begin their agricultural ventures. Authorities have set a goal to train 8,000 individuals through this initiative, equipping them with techniques for intensive and sustainable farming.
Expanding Irrigation for food security
In a separate effort to enhance agricultural productivity, Burkina Faso has secured a $20 million loan from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KEDEA).
The funding will support the development of 2,000 hectares of irrigated land in Sono Kuri, Kossi province. With an overall project cost of US$59 million, this initiative is expected to increase food production and create employment opportunities.
The expansion of irrigation will support the cultivation of key crops such as rice, maize, onions, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, and bananas.
Officials project that once operational, the initiative will contribute an estimated 40,000 tons of agricultural products annually, improving food availability across the country.
Further investments in water management
Burkina Faso is also strengthening its water management efforts with additional funding. On February 12, the Council of Ministers approved a US$144 million financing agreement with the International Development Association (IDA) for the Burkina Faso Water Security Project (PSE-BF).
“This financing will contribute to improving the safety of dams, access to associated irrigation and watershed services, and the resilience of beneficiaries to climate change,” the government stated.
The project, set to run for six years, will rehabilitate 35 dams, develop 788 hectares of irrigated land, stock 15 water reservoirs, construct 15 fish ponds, and restore 5,000 hectares of degraded land.
These developments are expected to enhance agricultural output and ensure a stable water supply for farming communities.
Additionally, Burkina Faso is benefiting from the West Africa Food System Resilience Program (PRSA-BF). In January, the program’s Steering Committee announced an allocation of over US$23.6 million for irrigation, lowland farming, and market gardening projects in 2025.
According to official data, the country has more than 233,500 hectares of irrigable land suitable for rice production. These investments are part of a broader national strategy to strengthen food security and support economic growth through agriculture.
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