Pro-Arides Program Aims to Boost Agrosylvopastoral Sector in Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso’s Country Advisory Committee (CCP) for the Agrifood Program for Integrated Resilience and Economic Development of the Sahel (Pro-Arides) announced its intention to closely align its activities with the national agrosylvopastoral and fisheries offensive. The CCP, during its inaugural session on Thursday, February 22, 2024, expressed its commitment to supporting Burkina Faso’s authorities in implementing strategies aimed at enhancing agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the CCP, which operates under the authority of the Ministry in charge of Agriculture, serves as a multidisciplinary guiding body for Pro-Arides activities within Burkina Faso. This regulatory exchange framework, established since 2022, witnessed the participation of delegates from 24 municipalities across the Boucle du Mouhoun, Center-West, East, and North regions, who were updated on the program’s progress from 2021 to 2023. Gaoussou Sanou, the president of the CCP, emphasized the program’s support for the agro-forestry offensive and highlighted the adoption of recommendations for the efficient implementation of forthcoming phases.
Pro-Arides, with a general aim of improving resilience, food security, and income among agricultural and agro-pastoral households in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, benefits from a €100 million funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the 2021-2030 period, supplemented by an additional €5.5 million from Danish cooperation in 2022. A key focus of the CCP’s discussions was ensuring that Pro-Arides’ efforts are in harmony with state programs, particularly the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries offensive.
Tuinsma Marjon, the country director of the NGO SNV, urged implementing structures to ensure their actions are synergized with national priorities, advocating for a participatory approach across all segments of society. The collaboration between Burkina Faso and the supportive nations of the Netherlands and Denmark was praised by Gaoussou Sanou, who acknowledged their contribution to the country’s development, especially in the agrosilvopastoral sector.
The national coordinator of Pro-Arides, Didier Coulidiaty, reported positive feedback from the beneficiary populations, including farmer organizations, SMEs, and households, after two years of implementation. The program has facilitated increased production, food diversification, market creation, land security initiatives, and the strengthening of local authorities, alongside promoting the inclusion of youth and women in the management of natural resources.
Implemented by a consortium led by SNV, alongside CARE, WUR, KIT, and seven national organizations, Pro-Arides stands as a pivotal program in Burkina Faso’s effort towards achieving food self-sufficiency and enhancing the resilience of its Sahelian populations.