BAGRÉ - In a significant development for Burkina Faso's agricultural sector, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the President of the Transition and Head of State, conducted a visit on Thursday, March 7, to farms in Bagré where students are actively participating in an agricultural training program. This program is part of the Technology Incubator project, managed by the National Agency for the Promotion of Research and Innovation Results (ANVAR), focusing on agro-sylvo-pastoral fields and related areas.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the visit aimed to assess firsthand the practical training and progress of students nearing the completion of their agricultural education. The President, reiterating his commitment to supporting these pioneering students, announced that the government would provide necessary resources, including drilling for water and the initial supply of kits comprising inputs and seeds, to facilitate their transition into full-time agricultural production. This initiative is geared towards achieving food self-sufficiency in Burkina Faso.
Captain Traoré emphasized the dual role of these students as both producers and future instructors, highlighting the government's intention to expand the base of young agro-entrepreneurs through this model. He expressed his desire for the students to become role models and attract more youth to agriculture, focusing on production and transformation processes.
The students, visibly proud and encouraged by the President's visit, shared their experiences and aspirations. Roukia Guebre, one of the trainees, spoke about her passion for agriculture, detailing the various crops they have produced, including tomatoes, potatoes, wheat, and onions. She also expressed her hope to own a farm post-incubation. Another student, Soutonnoma Gaël Sorgho, plans to venture into seed production, inspired by the support and recognition from the highest levels of government.
In addition to the training site, President Traoré visited a wheat field experiment within the irrigated area of Bagrépôle, affirming the success of such initiatives in aligning with his vision for food self-sufficiency in Burkina Faso. The President's engagement with the agricultural training program in Bagré underscores the government's commitment to fostering a new generation of farmers and agro-entrepreneurs, crucial for the country's food security and economic development.