Burkina Faso strengthens agricultural sovereignty with SONATER reform

In line with President Ibrahim Traoré’s push for food self-sufficiency, the government of Burkina Faso has taken concrete steps to bolster the country’s agricultural sovereignty. During its June 4, 2025 Council of Ministers meeting, the government adopted a pivotal decree revising the 2014 framework governing the Société Nationale de l’Aménagement des Terres et de l’Équipement Rural (National Company for Land Development and Rural Equipment) SONATER.

This move aligns with the President’s vision to transform arable land development and irrigation into key drivers of food security.

The reform significantly expands SONATER’s mandate. Beyond its traditional roles as a delegated project owner, contractor, and specialized national enterprise, the agency will now oversee the management and maintenance of irrigated perimeters and related infrastructure.

This enhanced responsibility ensures the sustainability of hydraulic systems while providing farmers with ongoing technical support for water management a critical factor in building climate-resilient agriculture.

The decree also modernizes SONATER’s regulatory framework to meet current rural development needs, aligning it with the general statutes of state-owned enterprises (Decree No. 2000-189).

This legal upgrade marks a decisive step toward more efficient, field-responsive governance at a time when every irrigable hectare counts in sustainably feeding the population.

By empowering SONATER, Burkina Faso signals its commitment to translating food sovereignty rhetoric into structured, coordinated action.

The reform underscores the government’s resolve to harness national agricultural potentiala crucial strategy to address growing food security challenges and reduce reliance on imports.

Maurice k.ZONGO