Picture © CGIAR
Burkina Faso launched its National Agroecology Strategy in 2023. In this interview, Sayouba Bonkoungou, a civil society leader and president of CNABio, a national organic agriculture network in Burkina Faso, shares insights into the development and implementation of the country’s National Agroecology Strategy, highlighting achievements, ongoing challenges, and future priorities, also against the backdrop of an unstable international context.
Can you tell us about the role of civil society in developing Burkina Faso’s National Agroecology Strategy?
Civil society has played a central role in promoting agroecology in Burkina Faso. It got strengthened with the setting up of the National Council of Agroecology in 2011. it is a strong national network that brings together key actors in agroecology and organic agriculture, including NGOs, farmer organizations, and technical experts.
During the development of the national strategy, civil society was involved at every stage. There were consultations with different agroecology stakeholders, as well as resource persons for collection of data on the ground. This inclusive and participatory process ensured that the strategy reflects the realities on the ground.
What would you identify as the main strengths of the strategy?
One of the biggest strengths is its official adoption by the government, particularly the Ministry in charge of Agriculture. We note that Burkina Faso is one of the first countries in the sub-region to have its own strategy. This reflects the State’s commitment to advancing agroecology and lends legitimacy to efforts promoting agroecology.
The strategy has also led to concrete actions, such as the organization of National Agroecology Days, the creation of regional consultation frameworks, and the establishment of a multi-stakeholder steering committee. Civil society is part of this committee, which helps ensure inclusive governance.
Another key strength is the ownership of the strategy by the stakeholders themselves, therefore making its implementation effective.
How is the implementation progressing in practice?
There has been significant progress. We have seen capacity-building efforts for technical services, the organization of agroecology events, and the establishment of regional platforms for dialogue.
Civil society organizations are very active in implementation. We organize training sessions, farmers’ exchanges, and awareness campaigns. We also support innovation, such as the production of bio-inputs by local cooperatives.
At the same time, we have developed an advocacy strategy to promote agroecology and encourage stronger engagement from policymakers.
Civil society plays a key role. We act as facilitators, bringing together different actors and we keep a dialogues with policymakers, technical services, and farmers for an improved scaling-up of agroecology in Burkina Faso
We also focus on awareness-raising, training, and knowledge-sharing. For example, we organize visits to farms, support schools in the setting up of vegetable gardens, and participate in regional and international forums to advocate for agroecology.
In many ways, we serve as a bridge between policy and practice.
What are the main challenges you are facing?
The biggest challenge is funding. There is no dedicated budget for implementing the strategy, activities depend therefore largely on external projects and programs. This limits the scale and sustainability of our actions.
Another issue is the limited involvement of political authorities. While the strategy has been adopted, there is not always strong commitment in practice. Policies and recommendations still tend to favor chemical inputs rather than agroecological alternatives.
We also face an insufficient awareness at the grassroots level. Many farmers, especially in remote areas, are not yet familiar with the strategy, which slows down its implementation.
How is the strategy currently financed?
At the moment, there is no clear financing mechanism. Agroecology-related activities are integrated into various projects, but there is no dedicated national budget for the strategy itself.
This is something we are advocating to change. We believe agroecology should be institutionalized, with a dedicated structure or body within the government to oversee its implementation and ensure proper funding.
Have there been notable successes so far?
Yes, despite lack of funding, several encouraging initiatives in agroecology have been recorded. Awareness of agroecology is increasing among both policymakers and farmers. Producers are beginning to understand its importance, especially in the face of climate and economic challenges.
At the institutional level, significant progress is also being observed. A national focal point for agroecology has been designated within the ministry in charge of Agriculture. In addition, the institutionalization of the National Agroecology Days provides both a platform to promote agroecological products and an important advocacy space.
Advocacy efforts are also bearing fruit, with agroecology being progressively integrated into certain public policies (notably local development plans and other legislative frameworks). Several pilot initiatives are being implemented by the State, farmers’ organizations, and NGOs.
Furthermore, agroecology is gradually being integrated into the education system (training schools, universities, etc.) through curriculum revisions, as well as the establishment of degree programs (certificates and master’s degrees). Capacity-building activities are also expanding, benefiting government technical staff, producers, and processors.
We are also seeing the emergence of cooperatives producing organic inputs, as well as initial government efforts to subsidize biofertilizers, something that did not exist before.
How do global developments affect agroecology in Burkina Faso?
Global crises, such as conflicts affecting fertilizer supply chains, have led to sharp increases in input costs. This has exposed the risks of relying on imported chemical inputs.
For us, this situation highlights the importance of agroecology. It is an opportunity to promote local alternatives, such as organic fertilizers, biopesticides and traditional seeds, and to build more resilient agricultural systems.
However, the response from policymakers has not always aligned with this perspective. Instead of accelerating the transition, there is still a focus on optimizing the use of chemical inputs.
The current context makes agroecology more relevant than ever. With rising input costs and global uncertainties, we cannot afford to remain dependent on external resources.
We need to anticipate these challenges and invest in local, sustainable solutions. Agroecology is not just an
alternative—it is a necessity for the future of agriculture in Burkina Faso.
About CNABio:
The National Council for Organic Agriculture (CNABio) is an umbrella organisation established in March 2011 in Burkina Faso. It brings together around a hundred stakeholders, including institutions, NGOs, farmers’ organisations, associations, businesses, resource persons and individual producers, all committed to promoting agroecology and organic farming. CNABio runs several projects in partnership with national and international organisations involved in promoting agroecology and organic farming. Find out more here.