Sissili: The High Commissioner of Sissili Province, Tewende Isaac Sia, in collaboration with the Burkina Faso National Bureau for Major Projects (BN-GPB), paid an encouraging visit this Thursday, April 23, 2026, to the agricultural training center for Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) in Neboun, in the commune of Bieha. This visit is part of the Presidential Initiative for Agricultural Production and Food Self-Sufficiency (IP-P3A), which aims to transform these young people into driving forces of the rural economy.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Koob Somnoma Agricultural Training Center (CFA-KS) in Neboun is currently hosting 435 agricultural volunteers, including 71 girls, for an intensive 60-day training program. This group is part of the 8,000 volunteers recruited nationwide to revitalize Burkina Faso's agricultural and livestock sector.
During this visit, Michel Congo, Technical Advisor to the National Office for Major Projects of Burkina Faso, spoke frankly and firmly to the trainees. "From now on, I want you to banish expressions like 'I can't' or 'it's impossible' from your vocabulary. Never forget, 'impossible' is not a Burkinab¨ word," he emphasized.
Addressing certain behaviors, he criticized the tendency to complain about living conditions, reminding everyone that success requires focus and a constant search for solutions rather than blame. "Be the primary agents of your own development. Think 'solutions,' act for yourselves, and support will follow," Mr. Congo added.
For the High Commissioner of Sissili, Tewende Isaac Sia, the commitment of these young people is a source of national pride. He emphasized that this project aligns with the vision of the Head of State, Captain Ibrahim Traore, to break with external dependence. "Taking responsibility for ourselves means, first and foremost, producing food to ensure our food sovereignty. You are fortunate to have fertile land; after this training, your role will be to feed all Burkinab¨," he declared, urging the agricultural volunteers to be diligent in order to be operational by the 2026 winter season.
In the field, volunteers benefit from multidisciplinary learning. According to the trainers, the program covers general agriculture with the cultivation of corn, eggplant, tomato and banana, production techniques in compost making and agricultural mechanization, and livestock farming with fish farming and animal production.
The general delegate of the agricultural VDP (Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland) in Neboun, Boureima Ouedraogo, expressed his colleagues' gratitude to the authorities. "The President of Burkina Faso's call has been heard, and we will always be there... we pledge to work tirelessly to achieve food self-sufficiency."
Among the new recruits, Charlotte Aimee Mobiguizanga Kabre embodies the determination of young women. Motivated by patriotism, she appealed to her peers: "I encourage you to 'get your hands dirty' and get involved in agriculture. It's a noble and life-saving sector."
As a reminder, the Presidential Initiative is based on 20 centers spread across the country, with a projected development of 12.5 hectares per municipality.