Burkina Faso - Sanguie Food Security Program

Lead Member: Mennonite Central Committee Canada
Country: Burkina Faso
Region: Sanguie Province
Implementing Partners: The Evangelical Churches Development Office (ODE)
Vulnerability: Moderate
Duration: One crop season
File Number: A031
Food/Inputs: Construction of anti-erosion structures, compost, hoes and ploughs
Budget: $51,064
Time Period: 15-Apr-02
Program Description:
This project will work with 250 farmers to increase their agricultural production by rehabilitating an additional 300 hectares of land and establishing 9 agro-forestry farms. Activities will include: constructing anti-erosion structures (stone barriers) to control water run-off, producing organic fertiliser, establishing 9 farms which use trees to provide shelter and water conservation for the crops grown between the rows of trees, and providing credit for the purchase of 90 ploughs. The ODE staff will work with the communities to organise farmers' groups and will provide training in land rehabilitation, construction of manure pits for organic fertiliser production, and the use of ploughs and cultivators.

Beneficiaries, Vulnerability, and Targeting:
The beneficiaries are selected from 109 villages currently facing food shortages because current crops and cropping practices do not provide enough food for the people. The total population is 200,000 people. The project will be only working with 250 farmers from these villages but it is hoped the changes in agricultural approaches will have an impact (through demonstration sites) beyond the actual farmers involved in this project.

Program Impacts:
The purpose of the project is to increase agricultural production using a sustainable agriculture approach. The objectives include:
  1. Building of anti-erosion structures
  2. Production of organic fertiliser
  3. Formation of farmers groups
  4. Use of the rehabilitated land areas as demonstration sites.
Other Comments and Issues:
This project is the second phase of a three-year project to assist in improving agricultural production in this area of Burkina Faso.

MCC has been working with ODE for a number of years. This project reflects a priority to help local farmers produce more crops from fields that are currently producing very low yields, in addition to expanding the production base.



Back to Project List