Safane:Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP) and members of the Dozo brotherhood in the commune of Safane have successfully completed the first rice harvest on a six-hectare plot in Sirakorosso. This initiative took place on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in a lowland rice-growing area that spans approximately 42 hectares.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the area was established on June 25, 2026, and is managed by the VDP as part of efforts to enhance agricultural production and promote food sovereignty in Burkina Faso. Ibrahim Sako, head of the VDP in Safane, expressed gratitude to the customary authorities of Sirakorosso, the chief of the canton of Safane, the president of the special delegation, administrative officials, and national authorities for their support.

Ibrahim Sako commended the vision of the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, for enabling the VDP to contribute to agricultural production alongside their defense duties. He emphasized that this initiative demonstrates the volunteers' commitment to food security and meeting the population's needs.

Sako highlighted that the VDP are not solely focused on defending the territory but are also dedicated to enhancing agricultural production and food sovereignty. Looking beyond this initial harvest, the producers plan to continue developing the land and improving yields in future agricultural seasons.

Sako called for strengthening their production capabilities, particularly through acquiring a tractor to aid in land preparation and optimize land use. Organized as a cooperative, the VDP appealed for material and technical support from the public, benefactors, and decision-makers to bolster their agricultural efforts.

This first rice harvest in Sirakorosso exemplifies the commitment of the VDP and the Dozo of Safane to merge their defense contributions with agricultural production, aiming to improve food availability and support national food sovereignty efforts.