Kourweogo: The Belemwende cooperative is gearing up to make sweet potatoes a central crop in Goabga. In anticipation of the sweet potato fair set for December 6-8, 2025, the cooperative held an information session on December 4, 2025, highlighting the activities of the wet agricultural season. The chairman, Sayouba Ilboudo, expressed a strong commitment to enhancing local sweet potato production and positioning Goabga as a pivotal area for this crop in the Kourweogo region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Goabga, located in the commune of Niou, just a few kilometers from Bousse, has a reputation for its sweet potato production. Traditionally, sweet potatoes have complemented cereal production and were primarily sold in local markets. The Belemwende cooperative now aims to modernize and expand this production, leveraging over 400 hectares of potential land to boost yields and turn sweet potatoes into a significant income source for local households.
The cooperative consists of about sixty members, each cultivating an average of 0.25 hectares, with an expected production of approximately 90 tonnes for the current season. A recent field visit underscored the determination of producers such as Adama Valian, who cultivates 0.75 hectares and aims for at least 5 tonnes, while Harouna and Kassoum Ilboudo, farming smaller plots, anticipate yields between 2 and 3 tonnes.
To aid production, members received subsidized inputs, with additional support in materials and technical advice from the Tin Yalgre Association (ATY). In a bid to further promote the crop, the Zemstaaba Association for local development will host a sweet potato fair in Goabga from December 6 to 8, 2025.
However, several challenges impede the sector's growth. Producers identify water scarcity, critical for maintaining cuttings during the dry season, and inadequate fencing to protect fields from stray animals. The cooperative's leadership is advocating for enhanced technical skills among members, diversification of sweet potato varieties, and the adoption of modern production methods. They also call for the construction of a water reservoir on the village stream to facilitate off-season activities for women and young people.