Naaba Kango: The first edition of the Regional Agriculture, Environment and Livestock Show (SIAEL), held from May 1 to 4, 2025, in Naaba Kango, successfully fulfilled its objectives. The winners’ night, conducted on May 3 at the FNGN premises, celebrated the region’s dedicated contributors to the rural sector.
According to Burkina Information Agency, this inaugural event stemmed from the recommendations of the International Exhibition of Agriculture, Environment and Livestock (SIAEL), which took place in Komsilga. The Regional Exhibition of Agriculture, Environment and Livestock (SRAEL) was initiated by the Association for the Development of the Rural World (ADMR) alongside the National Federation of Naam Groups. The organizers reported that the event overcame numerous challenges.
Participants included farmers, livestock breeders, and agricultural product processors from across Burkina Faso, all showcasing rural activities. The awards ceremony on May 3 honored eleven individuals devoted to rural development.
A total of eleven prizes were awarded, comprising three official prizes, five special prizes, and the three prestigious Kuuri d’or of SRAEL 2025. Additionally, honorary trophies were given to notable figures who significantly impacted the rural sector, including the late Dr. Bernard L©d©a Ou©draogo, Bougouraoua Ou©draogo, and Dr. Salifou Diallo.
Commissioner General Jean Victor Ou©draogo remarked on the event’s significance: “We have been gathered here in the North region for three days to celebrate and advocate for agriculture, the environment, and livestock farming through the Regional Agriculture, Environment, and Livestock Show, or SRAEL for short. As the lights go out at this show, let me tell you that holding this first edition is almost a miracle. Indeed, given the scarcity of resources, we have considered canceling or postponing the date several times, hoping that our traditional partners could, once again, allow us to organize this major gathering of producers.”
Issouf Traor©, president of the SRAEL Nord organizing committee, expressed satisfaction with the event’s outcome. “The awards night aims, firstly, to pay tribute to the dedication of the sons and daughters committed to the cause of the rural world, then to salute those who, despite the difficult security context, continue to make the region shine on the national and international levels in terms of agro-sylvo-pastoral production. Today, the results are very positive, with a feeling of total success in the organization of this activity.”
The three Golden Kuuri of SRAEL 2025 were awarded to Binta Sawadogo with Faso Risongo in agriculture, Abdoul Karim Ou©draogo of Tougo (Zondoma) in livestock breeding, and Moussa Ou©draogo of Zondoma in the environment category. Each winner received equipment worth 1,000,000 CFA francs. Special prize winners were awarded trophies and 100,000 CFA francs.
Hamidou Sawadogo, a biology graduate from Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, was among the winners. He expressed his gratitude: “I am very proud today to have received, from the organizing committee of SRAEL North, the special prize in livestock farming. This award is an invitation to redouble our efforts. My message to young people: work, persevere, because only work pays off.”
The awards evening was attended by regional authorities. Kouilga Albert Zongo, Secretary General of the Northern Region, praised the event: “The Regional Agriculture, Environment, and Livestock Show is part of the same vision and the same dynamic as those of the country’s authorities, namely the agropastoral and fisheries offensive for food sovereignty. This show has proven that we have farmers, livestock breeders, and authorities capable of achieving the expected results.”
The event concluded with satisfaction, and the General Commission of the International Exhibition of Agriculture, Environment and Livestock (SIAEL) announced the 8th edition of SIAEL for December 22 to 28, 2026, in Komsilga, Kadiogo province. The 2nd edition of SRAEL is slated for 2027 in the Central Plateau region.