Burkina Faso moves to transform aquaculture for better food security

In Ouagadougou, stakeholders in the Burkinabè aquaculture sector gathered on June 8 to validate a series of strategic documents designed to provide a sustainable framework for the industry. This validation includes a comprehensive sector diagnosis, a defined investment pathway, and an operational guide, all intended to serve as a roadmap for both public policy and private investment in fish farming.

This initiative is part of the regional Sahel RESILAND program, which aims to strengthen the resilience of Sahelian landscapes and the communities that depend on them. The program emphasizes sustainable land and water resource management, the restoration of fragile ecosystems, and the diversification of rural economic activities, with the ultimate goal of job creation and improving living conditions for local populations.

Knowledge-driven growth in the Sahel

A central component of this framework is the focus on knowledge, which plays a decisive role in guiding public choices and structuring future interventions. This falls under the Africa Sustainable Aquaculture initiative, which spans several Sahelian nations, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Chad. Its objective is to produce detailed national assessments and establish coherent investment trajectories for the sustainable development of the aquaculture sector.

The collaborative work has resulted in an updated status report on the aquaculture industry in Burkina Faso, highlighting its significant potential as well as its structural limitations. These efforts led to the creation of an investment path that identifies strategic priorities and funding needs, alongside a guide to support public and private project developers in their ventures.

Aligning with national agricultural priorities

Presiding over the session, Issiaka Zouri, a senior official from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Animal and Fishery Resources, praised the involvement of the various actors who contributed to these results. He emphasized that this approach is fully consistent with national goals for developing animal and fishery production, particularly through the “Offensive agropastorale et halieutique.”

Burkina Faso possesses significant advantages, notably substantial water resources and an underutilized fishery potential. Moving forward, the implementation of these strategic guidelines is expected to better structure the sector, boost domestic fish production, and enhance food and nutritional security. Additionally, it is anticipated to create new economic prospects for young people and women throughout the country.