Enhancing Nutrition in Burkina Faso

Good nutrition

Good nutrition can be considered one of the foundations of a healthy, productive society. It is essential for physical and cognitive development, disease prevention, and the overall well-being of society. Yet, across many parts of Africa, malnutrition remains a big challenge, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and children. Addressing this challenge requires a multipronged approach that not only ensures food security but also promotes agricultural practices.

The drive toward improved nutrition is gaining traction through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives in Burkina Faso. The country’s Nutrition Programme, developed in collaboration with AGRA, is making noteworthy progress in addressing food security and enhancing the nutritional status of vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.

At the heart of the country’s approach is a commitment to strengthening local food systems. This includes supporting smallholder farmers, promoting the cultivation of nutrient-rich crops, and ensuring that these foods reach the communities that need them most. Through its partnership with AGRA, the Nutrition Programme has been able to scale its efforts effectively.

One of the key aspects of the programme is the empowerment of women farmers. In Burkina Faso, women play a vital role in agricultural production, and the programme focuses on equipping them with the skills and resources needed to grow diverse, nutritious crops. By offering training in sustainable farming practices and improving access to quality seeds and inputs, the programme is helping women increase their yields and incomes, thereby supporting better nutrition for their families.

The programme also promotes the use of biofortified crops. These are grown to have higher nutrition content, with the aim of eradicating malnutrition among vulnerable populations and sustaining good nutritional health. The initiative supports local agricultural production through its contributions to the improvement of local food systems. To this end, it advocates for smallholder farmers’ rights, supports the cultivation of rich food varieties, and delivers such foods to the needy in time.

Enhancing market access for smallholder farmers is another crucial element of the Nutrition Programme’s success. With our support as AGRA, stronger value chains have been established, linking farmers to markets where they can sell their produce at fair prices. This not only boosts farmers’ incomes but also ensures that nutritious foods are more widely available in local markets.

As we continue to build on our achievements, the upcoming Africa Food Systems (AFS) Forum, taking place from 2nd to 6th September in Kigali, Rwanda, presents a critical opportunity for growth and collaboration. This forum will gather stakeholders from across the continent, providing a platform for Burkina Faso and even other markets to showcase their progress, share valuable lessons learned, and explore new partnerships to advance their nutrition agendas.

Looking ahead, the Africa Food Systems Forum, which will be held from September 2nd to 6th in Kigali, Rwanda, is an important opportunity for growth and collaboration. This forum will bring together stakeholders from across the continent, allowing Burkina Faso and other countries to display their achievements, share valuable lessons, and create new partnerships to advance continental nutrition agendas.

Looking at countries such as Tanzania, which has exemplified the potential of integrated agricultural strategies by biofortifying maize and other staple crops, which has helped address vitamin and mineral deficiencies at a large scale, we see significant progress in improving nutrition in African countries. Engaging with such success stories at the forum will provide valuable insights and incentives for improving nutrition initiatives in our various markets.

The AFS forum is a unique occasion for us to engage with other countries, development partners, and private sector players who share a commitment to transforming Africa’s food systems. By sharing lessons learned and forging new collaborations, Burkina Faso can continue to lead in creating resilient, nutrition-sensitive agricultural systems that benefit all.