Ouagadougou: In Yelbouga, Babouedouan Christian Nignan tries his hand at yellow and green gold: In the heart of the Sissili province, a new agricultural dynamic is taking shape in green and yellow. Babouedouan Jean Christian Nignan, a telecommunications engineer and passionate farmer, is cultivating the ambition of regained food sovereignty, transforming fertile and bountiful land into a sea of ??thorny leaves: the first large pineapple field in the area. A look at the situation.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the wind of self-sufficiency advocated by the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traor©, is blowing vigorously as far as Yelbouga, in the commune of Bi©ha, in the Sissili. Here, the slogan "Let's produce what we consume" is a reality on the ground. On a one-hectare plot undergoing experimentation, Babouedouan Jean Christian Nignan proves that Burkinabe land is a blessing where anything can flourish with enough willpower.
'We absolutely must control our entire production chain,' the promoter insists. 'Pineapples represent a major economic opportunity. We aim to reduce imports and, ultimately, expand our production on the national and even international market.' However, the man is proceeding with wisdom. "Before you can run, you have to know how to walk," he says, prioritizing a perfect mastery of cultivation techniques before moving to a phase of industrial production.
On the ground, production manager Awa Karambiri keeps a watchful eye. For her, the pineapple is "an exceptional but demanding fruit." Between the 14-month growing cycle and water management, every detail counts, because the road ahead remains fraught with challenges. The challenge of water is crucial: the plant requires 14 months of care, while the rain only lasts three months. High-flow drilling is essential. As for protection, under the scorching sun, the fruits must be covered with kraft paper to prevent scorching.
From a health perspective, the SAGRIFA farm (Soci©t© Agricole du Faso) uses a healthy method to protect the health of the population. Although mineral fertilizers are used at the base of the plant, no chemicals touch the fruit. "Our consumers can even safely boil the skin for infusions," assures promoter Nignan.
The success of this project is measured above all by the support of the traditional authorities. His Majesty Lio-Pio Dan-Zw¨, canton chief of L©o, like the chiefs of Zoro, Bi©ha and Sissili, was keen to bless this initiative which is a source of pride for the province. "It is not someone from elsewhere who will develop our agriculture, it is up to us to take responsibility," His Majesty said, stressing that this project strengthens dialogue and cohesion among the sons and daughters of Sissili.
For the chief of Yelbouga, Kassoum N©bi©, the emotion was palpable. "This project allowed me to taste pineapple for the first time in my life. It brings recognition to our village, and our ancestors will undoubtedly bless the work of our son." Beyond providing food, it's a bulwark against rural exodus. By creating local jobs, Babouedouan Jean Christian Nignan hopes to keep young people in the province so they can start families and send their children to school.
The future looks bright, with plans for massive expansion and the planting of thousands of trees to preserve the ecosystem. The ultimate ambition remains large-scale production and industrial processing to produce juices and dried fruit locally. Faced with these ambitions, Babouedouan Jean Christian Nignan is making a plea to the authorities. Rather than simple one-off aid, he is calling for substantial and structural support for the pineapple sector. This involves massive support for high-flow irrigation infrastructure, easier access to modern production equipment and financial support adapted to the long cycles of this crop.
Tribute is paid to "a great, altruistic visionary," thanks to whom this promising initiative was made possible. This is "Oumarou Compaor©, promoter of the Djoda farm in Bobo-Dioulasso," who instilled in Babouedouan Nignan a passion for the field. And in Yelbouga, the pineapple adventure is only just beginning. Between the blessings of the notables and the audacity of the promoter, Sissili is forging its path towards emergence, proving that the native land, when it is called upon, gives back a hundredfold.