Nakambe: The Minister of State, Minister of Agriculture, Animal and Fisheries Resources, Commander Isma«l Sombie, urged economic operators in the villages of Boakla and Zangoula, within the commune of Bagre, to channel investments into agricultural production, citing its substantial potential.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the call was made during a field visit by Comrade Sombie as part of monitoring efforts for the 2026-2027 agropastoral and fishery campaign in the Gulmu and Nakambe regions, slated from September 14 to 16, 2026. The minister was joined by the governor of the Nakambe region, Yiye Abraham Somdo, the high commissioner of the Boulgou province, and members of the region's constituted bodies.
The Minister of State highlighted that the initial phase of the Agropastoral and Fisheries Offensive had mobilized 274.9 billion CFA francs from the State's resources, with an anticipated 317 billion CFA francs expected from the private sector. However, he expressed disappointment that this target had not been met, despite discussions with stakeholders in the agri-food sector.
Commander Sombie emphasized the importance of private sector involvement, stating that the government alone cannot fulfill all needs, and the agricultural sector offers significant potential for job creation, wealth, and added value. He urged processing companies to secure a baseline production capacity to ensure a steady supply of raw materials and encouraged investment in ongoing developments, including 2,194 hectares nearing completion and the establishment of agropoles to enhance food sovereignty.
The Minister of State commended the Coris group's commitment to agricultural production, suggesting that their approach could serve as a model for other operators. At the Nakambe agropole, Damien Ouattara, the general manager of Faso Agropole, provided an update on the campaign's progress, noting positive developments in maize and legume crops, which were in the heading and ripening stages.
The delegation inspected a 72-hectare maize field, while other areas were dedicated to rice, cowpeas, and other crops. Comrade Ouattara revealed that the Coris group cultivates approximately 82 hectares of corn, alongside soybeans and sesame, covering a total of about 114 hectares. Meanwhile, the SIIF group manages around 71 hectares. He projected that the visited plots could yield at least five tonnes of corn per hectare.
The regional directorate of Agriculture of Nakambe showcased a 20-hectare experimental site focused on forage production to support livestock farming and future animal production units. Germain Aime Traore, the regional director of Agriculture for Nakambe, stated that over 7,100 tonnes of fertilizers have been mobilized and 6,131 hectares plowed free of charge as part of the first year's development. Additionally, 35 motorcycles have been provided to the support and advisory network, and 40 tractors have been allocated to benefit 40 villages across nine municipalities.
Concluding the visit, the Minister of State extended good wishes to producers and investors for the remainder of the campaign. He also announced plans for the deployment of additional corn harvesters to expedite harvest times and coordinate multiple campaigns.