Dori: The Regional Committee of Sahel Unions (CRUS) officially launched the NEEMA JAWDI project on Tuesday in Dori, an initiative aimed at promoting fodder production in the communes of Dori, Falagountou, and Gorom-Gorom. Funded by the mining company IAMGOLD Essakane SA with 30 million FCFA, the project seeks to enhance livestock farming and improve living conditions for the populations in the Liptako and Soum region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the NEEMA JAWDI project will be implemented over twelve months and will directly benefit 200 people, with 20% being internally displaced persons (IDPs). Beneficiaries will receive support in forage production, rural entrepreneurship, and simplified business management. These actions aim to strengthen local stakeholders' capacities and foster sustainable income-generating activities.
CRUS representative Boubacar Diallo stated that this initiative addresses rural communities' challenges, particularly in the livestock sector. He noted that the project will enhance living conditions, develop pastoral activities, and strengthen household resilience against socio-economic difficulties. Diallo expressed gratitude to IAMGOLD Essakane SA for supporting this pilot project and reiterated CRUS's commitment to inclusive and sustainable development for the region's communities.
Mr. Frank Napon, representing IAMGOLD Essakane SA, emphasized that the launch of NEEMA JAWDI signifies a crucial step in the company's commitment to sustainable community development. He highlighted IAMGOLD's duty to improve local populations' living conditions and bolster economic activity within its operational area. Napon expressed confidence that the planned actions would enhance beneficiaries' livelihoods and hoped the project would achieve its expected outcomes.
At the launch ceremony, Auguste Kinda, Secretary General of the Liptako and Soum region, praised the partnership between CRUS and IAMGOLD Essakane SA. He thanked the mining company for its ongoing support of socio-economic development initiatives. Kinda urged CRUS to maintain its efforts to build partner trust while enhancing rural community support, commending the organization's dedication to local communities.
Through NEEMA JAWDI, CRUS and IAMGOLD Essakane SA aim to sustainably address livestock feed challenges and boost the economic resilience of the population. The initiative, combining fodder production, rural entrepreneurship, and IDP inclusion, is expected to aid livestock development and strengthen community livelihoods in Dori, Falagountou, and Gorom-Gorom.