Promoting Youth in Agriculture in Burkina Faso 2017-10-11

Promoting Youth in Agriculture in Burkina Faso

Youth unemployment and rural-to-urban migration are big problems in Burkina Faso, as in many other countries. The Laarlé Naba Tigré, a king in the Mossi tribe, is doing something about it. He is demonstrating how agriculture can be a viable future for Burkina youth on his 200-hectare ranch in Dapelgo. The Laarlé Naba Tigré has planted 37,000 moringa trees and built a moringa processing facility, is growing jatropha for biofuels, is raising 11,000 chickens for eggs and meat, as well as improving yields of cotton, maize, millet, and sorghum.

The Laarlé Naba Tigré has sought out ECHO West Africa’s help in learning about liquid fertilizer and compost techniques developed through Foundations for Farming programs. By improving soil fertility, developing alternative crops, and creating marketing opportunities, he is showing the profitability potential of traditional and new crops.

ECHO West Africa’s director, Robert Sanou, was invited to an event at the Laarlé Naba Tigré’s farm that included numerous ambassadors from countries like France, Belgium, China, and Canada, as well as other diplomatic representatives from the EU, FAO, and UNDP. The Laarlé Naba Tigré personally accompanied his guests around the farm and publically praised ECHO before inviting Robert and Alain to provide a quick overview on composting and how to make liquid fertilizer. This provided a unique platform resulting in numerous inquiries and interactions, including the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Laarlé Naba Tigré helped promote ECHO West Africa’s Forum in Ouagadougou during September 27-30, 2016, by sitting in as the official sponsor of the forum. His speech, which opened the forum, was well received by the 102 participants and brought significant visibility to ECHO when it was broadcast on local television. ECHO looks forward to future partnering opportunities to speak hope into the lives of Burkina’s farmers and youth.