The National Farmers’ Union states its position on  the food crisis

 The National Farmers’ Union (Confédération Paysanne du Faso- CPF) has just published its first electronic news-bulletin. It is a monthly publication.  In this first issue the CPF gives its views on the high cost of living. It suggests looking for structural solutions rather than reacting on cyclical economic ups and downs in order to come to grips with the food crisis.

“The rising cost of living has led the Burkinian Parliament to set up a standing committee in charge of discussing with various social and professional interest groups  to find ways to counteract the soaring prices on farm products.

The Committee, chaired by  former Trade minister, Benoît Ouattara, held a meeting  with a delegation from the CPF and its affiliated organisations on April 8th at 3 p.m.

Under the leadership of its  Honorary President François Traoré, the CPF delegation laid before  the Parliamentary Committee the constant strain farmers are enduring as a result of the rising costs of living. It proposed structural solutions rather than action following the economic trend of the day. The delegation had set its heart and mind on three incontrovertible steps to be undertaken:

-    Market protection of local products, such as rice, milk and vegetable oil,  to prevent the country from becoming dependent on agribusiness.

-    Abolition of customs duties and domestic taxes on farm inputs and implements, to boost agricultural, forestry and animal production and ensure food security and food sovereignty for the population.

-    Abolition of taxes on rural banking. Lower interest rates on loans to farmers (down to 5% as is the case in some countries in the West-African region).

Negotiation of a profitable world market price for cotton, with a steady and beneficial effect on producers “at the grassroots”. (End  of quote).

In another communication the National Federation of Livestock Farmers  (Fédération des Eleveurs du Burkina - FEB) informs its members that it has been able to secure a special price for animal feed with the National CITEC Company.

After a series of meetings to state their case and lobbying by the CPF and the FEB, the highest-ranking official in charge of animal resources finally recognised the full length of trouble livestock farmers have had to go to in order  to provide food for their cattle.

Thus the Minister of Agriculture, Sékou Ba, who had been called upon repeatedly to intervene,  finally decided to negotiate a special deal with the CITEC firm, (a subsidiary of the DAGRIS company)  for 10 000 tonnes of animal feed for the FEB. It consists of oil cakes sold at cost price to the farmers. This is a great relief for them and they recognise the efforts put in by the FEB to come to their assistance. What is even better: the farmers have understood the need to rally around an organisation instrumental in defending their interests.

Long live the CPF and its news bulletin!

May 15th 2008

Maurice Oudet

Director, SEDELAN