Ouagadougou: The Bgudo B public primary school is leveraging agricultural production to bolster the supply of local produce to its school canteen. Under the leadership of headmistress Martine Zour, the school is utilizing school holidays to maintain a field whose harvest will be used to supplement meals provided by the canteen. This initiative is supported by parents, the school council, and agricultural technical services.

According to Burkina Information Agency, this activity has been ongoing since Ms. Zour's assignment to the school in 2022. For the current agricultural season, about 1.5 hectares have been planted with corn and soybeans. The director aims to enhance the quality and quantity of food served to students through this effort.

The school also had a vegetable garden, but activities were suspended this year due to a malfunctioning water tower. In response, teaching staff attempted to raise funds for repairs by going door-to-door, though they have not yet succeeded.

Ms. Zour acknowledged the contributions of some parents and the school council office members, as well as the students who participate in the fieldwork voluntarily. However, she highlighted challenges such as stray animals intruding into the school grounds, which necessitates constant vigilance to protect the crops.

The director suggested that the Bgudo B experience could be replicated in other institutions, provided that school councils receive adequate training. "If we train them, it will allow them to better understand the matter and to support other schools," she stated, advocating for increased community support.

Ms. Zour expressed gratitude to educational supervisors and agricultural services for their technical advice and commended her colleague Isidore Zombr for his ongoing support in implementing the initiative.