Burkina Faso ramps up efforts to boost local wheat production, sets aside 5,000 hectares

BURKINA FASO – The Burkina Faso government has dedicated 5,000 hectares to the production of wheat seeds for the 2024/2025 dry agricultural campaign, an ambitious move to enhance food security and reduce dependency on wheat imports.

The announcement, made on October 23 during a Council of Ministers meeting, underscores Burkina Faso’s strategic shift toward strengthening its agricultural sector.

This expansion builds on previous efforts to revive local wheat production, which began in earnest in 2023.

Last year, only 125 hectares were allocated to wheat cultivation, yielding a modest output of 250 tonnes, supported by 20 tonnes of seeds.

While small in scale, this initial step provided a foundation for further growth.

Burkina Faso, like many sub-Saharan African nations, is a net wheat importer. In 2023, the country imported approximately 270,000 tonnes of wheat and an additional 16,360 tonnes of wheat flour to meet national demand.

According to the National Institute of Statistics and Demography (INSD), these imports cost nearly 67 billion CFA francs (US$110.3 million), a figure that underscores the financial burden of relying on international markets for staple foods.

Now, with 5,000 hectares devoted solely to wheat seed production, the government aims to scale up local seed availability, ensuring farmers can access improved varieties developed by the Institute of Environment and Agricultural Research (INERA).

The government’s objective is to produce 6,500 tonnes of wheat by 2025, a target that could substantially decrease reliance on imports if achieved.

This drive aligns with broader agricultural policies aimed at food sovereignty and climate resilience. Since 2023, Burkina Faso has been working to revitalize its wheat sector.

Last April, authorities announced a forecast of 250 tons of wheat from 125 hectares for the 2023-2024 campaign, yielding approximately 2 tons per hectare.

Additionally, the nation recently launched the construction of an 8.5 billion CFA francs (US$14.4 million) pasta manufacturing unit in Koulpélé Toecé commune.

This ambitious venture, named Anadolu Industrie, results from a partnership between Burkina Faso’s government, Turkey, and Qatar.  It is expected to produce 100 tons of pasta daily, in five different varieties, over a six-month construction period.

In addition to pasta production, the facility will include a flour mill with 100 tons per day capacity, supplied by local wheat producers cultivating 2,000 hectares of land.

By investing in wheat production, the government supports local farmers while potentially reducing food costs, which often rise due to import taxes and transportation expenses.

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