Ouagadougou: The Agricultural Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PReCA) has successfully developed 687 hectares of lowland areas across three regions in Burkina Faso, as announced by Gaoussou Sanon, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture. The initiative, which cost 3.48 billion FCFA, marks a significant step forward in enhancing agricultural resilience and competitiveness in the country.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the PReCA has made substantial strides in creating irrigated areas and has financed 1,286 micro-projects with an investment exceeding 3 billion 600 million FCFA. Additionally, 362 sub-projects have been funded with more than 17 billion FCFA. The project has also provided financial support amounting to 602 million 537 thousand 497 FCFA to 526 internally displaced persons.
The project has not only offered financial aid but also delivered technical assistance and capacity-building training to promoters. In collaboration with ABNORM, PReCA is aiding 84 promoters in certifying their companies. As a result, the project has achieved a physical completion rate of 74% and a financial completion rate of 81%.
During the 11th mission to support the implementation of PReCA, held in Ouagadougou, Gaoussou Sanon expressed satisfaction with the project's progress and acknowledged the contributions of all stakeholders. Adama Siri, the project coordinator, highlighted the significant advancements in major works, including the development of irrigated areas and the construction of commercial infrastructure. These efforts are expected to facilitate the marketing of products from the developed regions.
As the project nears completion, the reception of major projects, particularly the irrigated areas, is anticipated to commence in June 2025. Stakeholders are working on a roadmap and recommendations for the post-project period to ensure the Ministry of Agriculture can effectively manage the outcomes.
The Agricultural Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PReCA), launched in 2020 and set to conclude on November 30, 2025, operates in the Haut-Bassins region, the Cascades, the North region, and the Boucle du Mouhoun. It is supported by financing from the World Bank.