Ouagadougou: In the heart of the commune of Manni, within Gnagna province, a 14-hectare developed lowland has provided sustenance and hope to dozens of families since 1978. Nestled on the east side of the Manni bridge, near the northern exit towards Taparko, this irrigated area supports nearly a hundred farmers every day. Despite a challenging start to the agricultural season marked by late and irregular rainfall, these farmers remain committed to the land, seeing it as a defense against hunger, poverty, and insecurity.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the young rice plants currently at the tillering stage on these green plots suggest a promising harvest, provided the climatic conditions remain favorable. Prior to planting rice, farmers utilized the off-season to cultivate maize and sweet potatoes, preparing nurseries and transplanting rice plants based on each farm's needs and market opportunities.
This lowland area serves as a vital economic and social asset for Manni, ensuring food availability, generating household income, and enhancing community resilience against climate change and insecurity. Emmanuel Lankoande, president of the irrigated area, expressed satisfaction with the strong mobilization of producers, highlighting the lowland's role as a primary income source for many families. The Burkinabe government's support through improved seeds, agricultural inputs, and marketing assistance has been crucial, as has the equipment provided by non-governmental organizations, such as a power tiller that eases the laborious task of plowing.
Lankoande also acknowledged the contributions of an agricultural technician who offers vital advice on variety selection, irrigation, soil fertilization, and pest control, significantly boosting yields. However, he emphasized the need to remove sand from the dam supplying the irrigated area, which would enhance water retention, expand cultivated areas, and offer more plots to producers.
Farmers like Haro Talata and Bourgou Moussa shared their appreciation for the lowland's impact. Talata, benefiting from the solidarity of landowners in Boungou-Folgou, expressed optimism for a good harvest. Moussa, a twenty-year user of the site, attested to its role in feeding his family, covering expenses, and educating his children.
Despite the challenges of delayed and irregular rain, producers maintain their plots with determination, aligning with President of Faso Captain Ibrahim Traore's call to strengthen Burkina Faso's food sovereignty through local production and consumption. In the face of security and climate challenges, the Manni lowlands stand as a beacon of resilient agriculture, driven by the farmers' courage, community solidarity, and hope for a brighter future. Each agricultural season reaffirms that the land can offer opportunities to those who cultivate it with dedication.