Badnogo: 2,000 agricultural Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) have completed their training under the presidential initiative aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency in Burkina Faso. These volunteers, who have undergone three months of intensive training, are now set to contribute significantly to the country's agricultural sector.

According to Burkina Information Agency, this first cohort includes young farmers aged 18 to 40 from 80 municipalities. The training program covered various aspects of agriculture, including cereal cultivation, arboriculture, market gardening, fish farming, agricultural entrepreneurship, and the processing of agricultural products. Additionally, the program included lessons on weapons handling, patriotism, and teamwork.

The initiative has developed a 12.5-hectare site, allocating 0.5 hectares per volunteer, equipped with boreholes to ensure year-round production. The young farmers will receive seeds and fertilizers to support their agricultural endeavors. Inoussa Ou©draogo, the technical coordinator of the initiative, emphasized the importance of food self-sufficiency as a cornerstone of national sovereignty.

During the official graduation ceremony, Commander Isma«l Sombi©, Minister in charge of Agriculture, highlighted the potential of the initiative. Captain Ibrahim Traor©, the head of state, encouraged young people to embrace agriculture, a profession often undervalued, and to overcome challenges such as laziness, incompetence, and betrayal.

Moussa Fi© Traor©, representing the young farmers, expressed their commitment to contributing to the nation's progress and supporting those on the front lines. The broader initiative aims to develop 4,000 hectares of land and train 8,000 young farmers from 340 municipalities by 2025, fostering practical and intensive agriculture across Burkina Faso.