Local products increasingly popular among urban consumers

Since the National Farmers’ Union took the initiative, in Gao in 2006,  to add an extra day for internal discussions in connection with the Farmers’ National  Day , this event has now been extended to three days.  This year the venue was Koudougou, on March 12, 13 and 14th, and the main theme was  “Diversification of agricultural production”.

However, the government hastened to take over the internal discussion days as well and therefore the documentation distributed to participants gives more space to the concerns of the state  than to those of the farmers. If you happen to ask what the major drive is for the government’s interest in agricultural diversification, the introductory note for the workshop on “Agriculture” will bring you overwhelming gratification. A top sentence reads:

“The  purpose of the State is  to reduce the budget for aid to agriculture”

This at a time when farmers are asking the government to honour its commitment given in Maputo at an African Union meeting – “To allocate 10% of the national budget to agriculture”.

And again, this at a time when a document assessing the outcome of the “Priority Action Programme of the Strategic Framework for the Fight against Poverty of 2008” is circulated. It states:

“The expenditure of the department of agriculture, waterways and fisheries for the year 2008 amounted to a total of 45 239 346 000 CFA francs of the budget appropriation of 89 382 736 000 CFA francs, in other words  50.61 % of the sums available.

With regard to the Ministry of livestock resources,  the – amended -  budget allocation for the year was 7 005 380 339 CFA francs. On December 31^{st 2008}  approximately 3 565 729 640 CFA francs had been spent,  in other words  50.90% of the budget allocation”.

One is left bewildered.  At a time  when, in the wake of the food crisis,  most governments have understood the necessity of investing in agriculture, could the government of Burkina really be attempting to save money in this sector, first  by reducing the farm budget and then by spending only half of the  amounts at its disposal?  This is worrying !

Fortunately the agricultural fair which was held during the three days was a genuine success. Interviewed visitors were unanimous in saying “Burkinabè farmers really have demonstrated that they are capable of producing all the food we need ! If, in addition, an appropriate farm policy is put in place, we can soon start exporting !”

The stalls of the Boulkiemdé dairy  exhibited various milk products (such as Gappal – based on yoghurt and millet – fresh milk, yoghurt, dégué, fresh and fried cheese)  and had many visitors. Since the sharp rise in the price of milk powder, consumers have taken to local milk products. The Prime Minister’s wife came to the stall twice and expressed her particular appreciation for the Gappal milk drink.

The trade fair also gave farmers an opportunity to express their concerns. Those on the photograph, left, resorted to new language to explain  that the lack of adequate storage space  (cold storage rooms and warehouses) often compels them to sell out their products at cut price rates. The National Union of Farmers displayed messages such as “To guarantee food security and food sovereignty – Better access for all farming sectors to inputs of fertiliser and pesticides” and “Access for farmers to the means of production – A necessity for food sovereignty”.

On the last day a direct question-and-answer session took place between the farmers and the President. In his introductory address the President emphasised the need to ensure food sovereignty and  food security for the population.

Koudougou, March 15 2009

Maurice Oudet

Director, SEDELAN