Houet: More than 20 tons of agricultural inputs were delivered to seed producers in the Bama rice plain by the Faso Agropoles Company (SOFA) on Thursday, as part of a contractual partnership intended to boost the production of certified rice seeds.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the handover ceremony was led by the Director General of SOFA, Damien Oula Ouattara, with the presence of Felix Baye, President of the Special Delegation of the municipality of Bama, and Ludovic Yigo, Director of the Samendeni Agropole. The shipment included 12,500 kg of NPK fertilizer and 7,500 kg of urea, crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity.

The Director of the Samendeni Agropole highlighted that these inputs are expected to facilitate the development of 50 hectares of seed production. This effort is projected to yield approximately 250 tonnes of certified rice seeds of the TS2 and Orylux varieties. The Director General of SOFA, Oula Ouattara, emphasized that this initiative aligns with the strategic vision of supporting producers to improve agricultural yields and pursue food self-sufficiency.

Oula Ouattara encouraged the stakeholders to ensure the project's success despite potential challenges. "Make sure this action is an example of success. The difficulties are certainly enormous, but the selflessness and commitment of all actors will substantially increase our local production," he remarked.

Felix Baye, the President of the Special Delegation of Bama, expressed appreciation for the collaboration, noting its timely support for local producers. "We have dynamic producers in Bama, real go-getters. They are well organized and this initiative will allow them to obtain good harvests," he stated.

Boukary Porgo, president of the seed producers of Bama, echoed this sentiment, expressing satisfaction among the beneficiaries. "Starting tomorrow, we will consult with each other to ensure an efficient distribution of inputs so that at the end of the season, we can exceed the contracted quantities and sell the surplus to meet our personal needs," he said.

This operation between SOFA and seed producers in Bama, facilitated through the Samendeni Agropole, aims to bolster the production of certified rice seeds, contributing to the overall increase in rice production within the commune.