Abuja: The agricultural Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) of Ban© in the province of Boulgou have set an ambitious target to produce more than 10 tonnes of maize during the 2026 agricultural campaign. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Burkina Faso's food sovereignty.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the group of 25 agricultural VDPs is cultivating a total area of 7.5 hectares. This includes 6 hectares dedicated to maize, 1 hectare to beans, and 0.5 hectare to okra. The leader of the group emphasized that the initiative is aimed at strengthening food self-sufficiency and supporting governmental efforts in food sovereignty.
The leader stated, "Our goal is to contribute to the food sovereignty of Burkina Faso. We want to produce what we consume in order to reduce imports and participate in feeding our people as well as our Defense and Security Forces (FDS)." With the support of favorable rainfall, the producers are optimistic about exceeding their target of 10 tonnes of corn by the end of the season.
For the project's implementation, the group has received various forms of support, including free plowing of the land, improved seeds, an electric sprayer, a manual sprayer, two tarpaulins, and a seed drill. However, they are encountering several challenges, such as difficulties in clearing the land due to large trees, shortages of fertilizer and seeds, water scarcity, and the absence of protective fencing for the fields.
The agricultural VDPs operate with a spirit of solidarity, meeting biweekly to assess their activities and provide mutual support, especially for members who are unable to participate due to health reasons. Looking to the future, the group aims to undertake drilling operations to facilitate off-season vegetable crop development.
The head of the agricultural VDP urged, "We invite all young people who are still hesitant to get involved in agricultural production. Food sovereignty is everyone's business. We also request support from the authorities for drilling wells, fencing the site, providing seeds and fertilizers, as well as enhanced technical support."