I do indeed propose « general assizes on food and agriculture », and not just on agriculture alone, for several reasons. Mainly because the link between agriculture and food is an essential one. Several advanced states have in fact set up joint ministries for food and agriculture (Germany, Quebec). But also because the advent of bio-fuel production and the invasion of vast areas by jatropha cultivation in Burkina and other African states of the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) make a nation-wide (or even region-wide) debate on the priorities of our agriculture urgent. Do we want to guarantee food security or do we wish to fill the fuel tanks of the big 4x4 wheel drive SUVs of the richest citizens and turn our rural population into farm labourers at the service of business companies of the industrialised North ?

There is more to it than that. One may understand the demands of the Farmers' Confederation for an agricultural guidance policy. However, they run the risk of having to face the politicians alone. Politicians live in the cities and have always seen « feeding the urban population as cheaply as possible » as their single most important objective (and keeping workers' wage levels low ). Even at the cost of allowing all the planet's garbage to invade our country. Or letting ultra concentrate Chinese tomato paste (Made in Italy) fill the shelves of our grocery stores - thereby killing our chances of ever processing our own tomatoes and forcing us to close down domestic industries, be they Savana or others.

« General assizes on food and agriculture » could bring the urban and rural population more closely together. A national debate could be launched on food policy. Who does not take an interest in what we eat? Who does not wish to have real solidarity between town and country? Who would not like to see the establishment of a domestic food processing industry in Burkina and in West Africa ?

This is altogether possible. West Africa has all it takes to become an important farming region (land, sunshine and water !), enough both to feed itself and to offer its special produce to the world.

However, to achieve this, we must do what the great economic powers (the European Union, the United States) have done and still do : protect ourselves by import duties.

« The spectacular results of protecting an agricultural sector stand out clearly in a comparison of milk imports in Kenya and in the states of the WAEMOU ( Economic and Monetary Union of West Africa): In Kenya imported milk powder was taxed 25% in 1999, 35% in 2002 and 60% since 2004, whilst WAEMOU member states charge only 5%. Kenya is now a growing net exporter of dairy products with a domestic consumption of 112 litres/inhabitant. In West Africa imports, in milk equivalents, is 64% and the consumption per person less than 35 litres.
These facts make a clear case for a reform of all national agricultural policies along the lines of food sovereignty. It is up to each nation (or group of nations) to set up its own food and farm policy, as long as it does not harm other countries by dumping - dumping including other internal indirect state aid, such as subsidies for animal fodder. » (Jacques Berthelot, Le Monde Diplomatique, November 2009 )

The people of Burkina has not forgotten the words of their late president Thomas Sankara

« Let us consume what we produce
and produce what we consume ! »

Koudougou, June 18th, 2010
Maurice Oudet
Director, SEDELAN

P-S : The Editor would be pleased to receive similar proverbs from readers, in particular in Jula.