Burkina Faso: Agricultural training for young people, a decisive step towards food self-sufficiency
On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, the National School of Agricultural Training in Matourkou (ENAFA) hosted the official ceremony for the new intake of young people for training in intensive and sustainable agriculture. This initiative is part of the presidential program aimed at strengthening agricultural production and ensuring food self-sufficiency in Burkina Faso.
Confronted with major challenges in food security, the government has implemented several reforms to revitalize the agricultural sector and promote the professional integration of young people in rural areas. Among these reforms are the agro-pastoral offensive and the presidential initiative for agricultural production, which serve as the pillars of this strategy.
The training program launched on this day will eventually involve 8,000 young people from the 302 communes across the country. A pilot phase is already underway, involving 1,950 young people spread across eleven training centers. Upon completion of their training, participants will be supported in settling down and applying the skills acquired in their respective localities.
The minister praised the efforts of the training center managers, the National Bureau of Major Projects, and the regional mission officers who contributed to the implementation of this project. He called on agricultural sector stakeholders to work in synergy to accelerate the transformation of the sector and achieve food sovereignty.
According to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Gaoussou Sanou, this training will eventually reach more than 100,000 young people in the long term. It covers key areas such as cereal and vegetable production, agricultural product processing, and farm management. The modules are designed to promote modern, profitable, and attractive agriculture for the youth.
Through this project, Burkina Faso aims to strengthen its agricultural productivity while creating employment opportunities for young people and women in rural areas, a crucial step toward a sustainable food future.
