In Burkina Faso, climate shocks pose a significant challenge to the country’s ability to ensure food security.
To address this, the government is intensifying efforts to bolster agricultural production and enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector.
Presidential Initiative for Agricultural Production and Food Self-Sufficiency
The Presidential Initiative for Agricultural Production and Food Self-Sufficiency (IP-P3A) was approved on July 24th by the Council of Ministers.
With a total cost of 121 billion CFA francs ($200 million), this five-year project aims to revolutionize the agricultural landscape.
Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Security
“The initiative focuses on implementing climate-smart agriculture, a short- and medium-term alternative, with the involvement of the Fighting Forces in the agricultural production process,” the Council of Ministers’ statement read. “It also aims to ensure food security and the well-being of farmers in Burkina Faso.”
Four Key Components of the IP-P3A
The planned interventions are expected to enhance the productivity of over 32,000 hectares of agricultural land. The IP-P3A will revolve around four key components: the establishment of “climate-smart” agriculture on 5,000 hectares, an emergency initiative for the intensification of rice, wheat, and vegetable production on 16,000 hectares, the implementation of the Military Food Program (PAMBF) on 6,750 hectares, and the Homeland Defense Program against Food Insecurity (PDPIA) on 5,000 hectares, involving the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP).
Food Insecurity Crisis in Burkina Faso
In Burkina Faso, over 2.5 million people, representing 11% of the population, are facing a “crisis” level of food insecurity, according to the latest projections from the Cadre Harmonisé.