Burkina Faso advances toward food sovereignty with ambitious aquaculture initiative
Under President Ibrahim Traoré’s leadership, Burkina Faso is making significant strides toward food self-sufficiency through the Agropastoral and Fisheries Offensive (OAPH). This flagship initiative aims to reduce the country’s dependence on food imports particularly in the fisheries sector by boosting local production and promoting sustainable practices.
A key component of this strategy is a national aquaculture revolution, with a goal of producing 100,000 tons of local fish equivalent to half of Burkina Faso’s annual imports of 200,000 tons.
By scaling domestic production, the country aims to conserve foreign currency, create local jobs, and strengthen food security.
To achieve this, the OAPH has introduced modern floating cage aquaculture technology, deployed across dams and waterways nationwide.
At the Soum Dam in Nando Province, for example, forty producers have already installed cages with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources.
Early results show promising increases in local fish production, improving access to affordable protein while stimulating rural economies.
The initiative of President TRAORE not only addresses malnutrition and poverty but also reinforces national dignity and economic resilience.
Through innovation and strategic investment, Burkina Faso is steadily advancing toward lasting food sovereignty.
Maurice K. ZONGO
