Ouagadougou: The Burkinabe government officially received 710 high-performing pregnant cows imported from Brazil on Wednesday in Loumbila, in the Oubri region, as part of the Faso Kossam program, which aims to sustainably strengthen national milk and meat production and reduce dependence on imports. The ceremony, organized in the commune of Loumbila, was presided over by the Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources, Isma«l Sombi©, in the presence of administrative authorities, technical officials of the department, partners, and beneficiaries of the project.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the minister noted that milk imports cost Burkina Faso over 20 billion CFA francs annually, a significant burden on the national economy. "It is to address this situation that we have, upstream, established Faso Goulgo and strengthened the capacities of the Directorate of Veterinary Services. Faso Kossam is the first phase; we will closely monitor the progress of these animals, and there will be further phases," he explained.
The cattle received belong to breeds renowned for their milk and beef production, including Girolando, Gir, Guzerat, and Nelore. Their introduction into the national herd should lead to a rapid improvement in productivity through crossbreeding and better husbandry practices.
According to Minister Sombi©, more than one million liters of milk are expected this year as a result of this operation. He emphasized the need to avoid treating these animals "in the conventional way," calling on all stakeholders and farmers to adhere to technical and sanitary standards in order to achieve the desired results.
Dairy industry stakeholders welcomed the initiative, deeming it concrete and promising. Kiswendsida Ou©draogo, president of the Burkina Faso Dairy Interprofessional Association, stated that this action fulfills a long-standing expectation of producers. "It's a feeling of joy and pride. We have long sought solutions, particularly through artificial insemination. Today, it's concrete and it will boost milk production in the blink of an eye," he confided, assuring that professionals in the sector are committed to producing conclusive results within a year.
Claudia Assaf, Charg© d'Affaires at the Brazilian Embassy in Burkina Faso, indicated that this initiative is a continuation of the Brazil-Africa Dialogue on Agriculture and Food Security, held in May 2025 at the initiative of Brazilian President Luiz In¡cio Lula da Silva, and reflects the common desire to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two countries.
The beneficiaries expressed their satisfaction with the fulfillment of this government promise and thanked the government and the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traor©, for this action in support of the development of the livestock sector. For the authorities, the gradual distribution of these high-performing pregnant cows represents an important step towards food sovereignty and improved incomes for Burkinabe producers.