Ouagadougou: The use of chili peppers and sound instruments was among the techniques recommended Tuesday at a meeting to keep elephants away from fields in Soudougui, in the Koulpelogo province, where the incursions of the pachyderms are causing significant damage to crops.

According to Burkina Information Agency, these methods were presented on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, by Forestry Warrant Officer Anatole Dibgolongo during a meeting between farmers, the Defense and Security Forces (FDS), the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), and technical services.

The Forestry officer explained that the use of chili peppers and sound-emitting devices can help repel elephants without harming them. These techniques aim to keep the pachyderms away from production areas and reduce damage to crops.

The meeting, chaired by the President of the Special Delegation (PDS) of Soudougui, Nebgniga Ouedraogo, also provided an opportunity to discuss preventative measures and the need for farmer involvement in field protection measures.

The head of the military detachment and the deputy commander of the gendarmerie brigade assured their willingness to support farmers in finding solutions to secure agricultural areas.

According to technical services, around one hundred farmers were recorded as victims of elephant damage in 2024 and 2025, across all seasons. These victims are still waiting for compensation.

At the end of the discussions, the PDS called on the various stakeholders to combine their efforts to protect crops while preserving wildlife.