• World Bank approves $215.9 million to support Burkina Faso agriculture
• Program targets rice, maize productivity, processing, market access
• Project prioritizes youth, women participation and rural job creation

The World Bank has approved $215.9 million in financing to support the development of Burkina Faso’s agricultural sector, the institution said Tuesday in a statement.

The program aims to strengthen key agricultural value chains, particularly rice and maize, by boosting productivity, modernizing processing infrastructure and improving market access. It will be implemented across four regions and is designed to improve access to financing in order to encourage private investment and the adoption of new technologies.

The project will place special emphasis on women and young people, with the aim of strengthening their participation in agricultural value chains and supporting the creation of sustainable jobs in rural areas.

"Agriculture remains a central pillar of the Burkinabè economy and a key lever for food security and the resilience of rural populations. Through this project, the World Bank reaffirms its commitment to supporting Burkina Faso in transforming its agricultural sector with a view to more inclusive and sustainable growth," said Hamoud Abdel Wedoud Kamil, the World Bank's country director for Burkina Faso.

The project comes as Burkina Faso is implementing several major agricultural transformation initiatives, supported by investments aimed at strengthening food security, reducing imports, creating jobs and promoting private sector development.

Among them is the Agricultural Transformation Support Project (PATA), launched by the Burkinabe government with support from the World Bank. It aligns with national priorities set out in the Action Plan for Stabilization and Development (PA-SD) and the Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Production Sector Policy (PS-PASP), both of which aim to drive structural transformation of the economy.

Lydie Mobio