Gounghin: The National Center for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST) announced Thursday that the 16th edition of the fair for seeds of improved plant varieties will be held from tomorrow, May 30 to June 2, 2025, at the INERA headquarters in Gounghin.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the seed fair organized by the Burkina Faso Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) is strategically timed at the start of the rainy season. The event aims to promote the use of improved plant varieties to boost agricultural production, ultimately striving for food and nutritional sovereignty in Burkina Faso.

Held under the patronage of Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ou©draogo, the fair provides stakeholders with an opportunity to reflect on how research results can contribute to promoting agricultural entrepreneurship and achieving food and nutritional sovereignty in the country.

INERA Director Drissa S©r©m© highlighted the international interest in the event, as participants from countries such as Mali, Niger, and Chad are expected to attend. "This demonstrates that what we are doing extends beyond the borders of our country," he remarked, emphasizing the broader impact of Burkina Faso's agricultural initiatives.

The director also pointed out that the fair represents a framework of opportunities, particularly for creating agricultural businesses. He encouraged rural stakeholders to seize these opportunities to make their ventures profitable.

The four-day program will feature exhibitions and sales of various improved seeds, including those for cereals, oilseed protein crops, cotton, seeds for fish and wildlife resources, and tubers. Mr. S©r©m© stated that there would also be B2B exchanges and high-level panels discussing the use of improved varieties to enhance productivity.

The Burkina Faso Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA) is one of the four specialized institutes of the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST), focusing on agricultural and environmental studies and research. Improved seeds developed by INERA have been shown to increase agricultural yield by 30 to 40 percent.