On Wednesday 3 June 2026, a delegation from Burkina Faso’s National Office for Major Projects (BN-GPB) carried out a follow-up visit to the Drive Green Industry and the Environment training centres in Dano and the Rural Development Centre (CPR) in Bapla. This mission forms part of the implementation of Component 5 of the Presidential Initiative for Agricultural Production and Food Self-Sufficiency (IP-P3A), which is dedicated to the training and establishment of young people.
The aim of this field trip was to assess the progress of the practical training of the third cohort of agricultural Volunteers for the Defence of the Fatherland (VDP), comprising nearly 3,000 young people who have been in training for two months.
At the various sites visited, the trainees expressed their satisfaction with the knowledge and skills they had acquired. For many of them, this training has provided a better understanding of the realities of the agricultural sector and introduced them to techniques suited to different types of soil and crops.
Through the training received, the young people say they are now better prepared to contribute to national efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency. Some plan to put the techniques they have learnt into practice in their respective localities, particularly in the areas of market gardening, cereal crops and livestock farming.
According to Abdourahim GANSORÉ, Managing Director of Drive Green Industry and the Environment, more than 90% of the programme had already been completed after just 35 days of training, with the trainees quickly becoming operational in the field.
Inoussa SAWADOGO, Technical Coordinator of IP-P3A, praised the results observed at the centres visited. He noted that the planned modules had been delivered in accordance with the programme, whilst highlighting the initiatives developed by the centres to enhance the training.
Among the achievements recorded are the production of vegetable crops such as okra, eggplant and zucchini, as well as maize. Trainees were also introduced to the processing of agricultural products into jams, purées and peanut butter. The manufacture of biopesticides is also among the skills acquired, with a view to promoting sustainable and accessible agriculture.
The technical coordinator also noted that more than 4,500 hectares have already been mobilised across the country as part of the initiative, exceeding the initial target of 4,000 hectares.
Source : Burkina 24
