Burkina Faso / Government initiative towards Food Self-Sufficiency: A commendable effort for the livestock sector
As part of President Ibrahim Traoré’s vision for achieving food self-sufficiency, the Burkinabe government is making considerable efforts to support producers and livestock farmers in the country. Indeed, during the launch of the forage production campaign for 2024, which took place in Manga over the weekend, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources announced significant measures.
The ministry has made available to producers, « at subsidized cost », a set of crucial resources for the campaign. Among these resources are:
- 2300 tons of forage seeds
- 8553 tons of agro-industrial by-products
- 75 kits of equipment for the valorization of agricultural by-products
- 160 kits of forage production equipment
- 1000 kits for building haylofts
These initiatives aim to improve forage production and strengthen the capacity of livestock farmers to overcome challenges related to animal feed, particularly during the dry season.
Livestock farming is a vital sub-sector for the Burkinabè economy. It contributes to over 18% of the national GDP and is practiced by more than 80% of the population. Recognizing this importance, the government is actively involved in disseminating good practices in forage production and conservation. These practices are essential to help farmers cope with feed shortages for livestock.
For the 2023-2024 campaign, available forage is estimated at 13.522.026 tons of dry matter (TMS). However, this figure only covers 76% of total needs, estimated at 17.826.157 tons of dry matter. Therefore, this government initiative is part of a strategy to reduce this deficit and move towards food self-sufficiency.
The actions taken by the Burkinabe government, under the instructions of President Ibrahim Traoré, illustrate its commitment to food security and the development of the livestock sector.
