Nahouri: Food and nutrition security stakeholders in Kourwogo examined the challenges of mining on food and nutrition security on Friday, Sept. 11, during the first ordinary session of 2026 of the General Assembly of the Provincial Food Security Council (AG-CPSA).
According to Burkina Information Agency, the meeting, held under the theme "Mining operations and food and nutritional security in the Oubri region: issues and prospects", provided an opportunity to assess the food and nutritional situation of households, the 2026-2027 agropastoral campaign, and the interventions of various actors. The Secretary General of the province, Harouna Kombassr, representing the President of the Provincial Food Security Council, urged stakeholders to enhance coordination and prioritize synergies to develop solutions suited to the province's realities.
The presentation highlighted that mining could contribute to food security through job creation, local market development, financing income-generating activities, and the construction of essential infrastructure. However, mining also poses risks such as the reduction of agricultural and pastoral areas, pressure on land and water resources, and increased living costs. In Kourwogo, mining activities are notably undertaken by the industrial mine Nordgold Niou SA and by gold panners at sites like Guesna, Kalwin, Ziplin, and Silmiougou.
Stakeholders recommended the effective implementation of the environmental and social management plan to mitigate mining's negative impacts. The 2026-2027 agropastoral season faced challenges with a late and irregular arrival of rains, leading to delays in farming operations. Despite an improvement in August, some localities experienced severe water stress at the beginning of September.
To support producers, the State and its partners distributed 119,848 tonnes of improved seeds at subsidized prices and 762.35 tonnes of fertilizer. Additionally, 112.7 hectares of lowlands and 366.4 hectares for soil conservation and restoration were developed. In the pastoral sector, over 400,000 animals received vaccinations through subsidized veterinary products under the Agropastoral, Hydraulic and Fisheries Offensive (OAPHH).
For the 2025-2026 season, grain production in the province is estimated at 44,569 tonnes against a need of 37,575 tonnes, with vegetable production reaching 15,165.7 tonnes. Despite this, farmers' stocks are low, and while staple food prices fell in July 2026 compared to 2025, meat, fish, and vegetable prices remain high. The acute malnutrition rate is estimated at 11.3% in the province, with a recovery rate of 93.9% from January to July 2026.
The participants concluded with a call for better coordination of actions on the ground.