Centre-Sud: Stakeholders from the Center-South region, primarily students from the agro-sylvopastoral sector of the Manga University Center, participated in an information and discussion workshop on government policy aimed at promoting local products. This initiative was organized by the regional directorate of Industry, Commerce and Crafts of the Center-South.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the workshop’s objective was to educate students, especially those involved in agro-sylvopastoral studies, about “Consuming Locally Month” and the promotion of local products. Guillaume Dofini, the regional director of Industry, Commerce and Crafts for the Centre-Sud, emphasized the strategic inclusion of students in this event. He explained that the workshop is designed to provide these students with foundational knowledge of government initiatives for local product promotion, preparing them for their future roles as business promoters or executives within the agri-food processing sector.
Eliane Nana, a third
-year Agrosylvopastoral student at the Manga University Center, expressed the importance of this information for her future endeavors in agricultural product processing. Herman Zoungrana, regional president of the Chamber of Trades and Crafts of the Centre-South, also highlighted the significance of student involvement, seeing them as future entrepreneurs who will support community efforts in promoting local products.
The Burkinabe State is committed to enhancing the market share of local products, increasing processed raw material volumes, and stimulating the primary, secondary, and tertiary sectors. This initiative aligns with the UEMOA trade ministers’ decision to promote local consumption during October, as established in their 2019 conference.
The 2024 Month of Local Consumption (MCL) theme, “Consuming locally, a lever for industrial development, competitiveness, and resilience of UEMOA economies,” reflects Burkina Faso’s aspirations for a structured local economy. Governor Yvette Nacoulma, who chaired
the workshop, affirmed that this theme resonates with the country’s goals.
Alongside the workshop, a visit to industrial and local product processing units is scheduled as part of the local celebration of the MCL’s 5th edition, involving members of the region’s constituted bodies.