President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has handed over agricultural machinery and resources valued at $170.5 million to the country's Ministry of Agriculture, according to an official statement from the presidential press service.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, President Traoré encouraged the ministry, saying, "I officially hand you the keys to all this equipment and wish you a successful planting season. Let us pray for good rains so you can achieve your goals this year."
The package includes 485 motor pumps, 1,102 power tillers, 17 trucks, 2 drilling rigs, 31,000 tons of crop protection products, 15,000 tons of seeds, and 70,000 tons of mineral fertilizers. These resources are distributed as part of a broader government initiative to modernize the agricultural sector, create new jobs, and achieve food security and agricultural sovereignty.
According to Agriculture Minister Ismaël Sombié, the agricultural support program has also led to the development of over 2,000 hectares of irrigated land throughout Burkina Faso. The minister noted that thanks to the new equipment, brigades will provide services free of charge to vulnerable communities and at subsidized rates for others—helping to rapidly increase the country's agricultural output.
This latest handover follows a similar donation in March, when President Traoré delivered $21 million worth of equipment to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries. These efforts highlight Burkina Faso's commitment to modernizing its farming sector, supporting rural communities, and ensuring the nation's food self-sufficiency.
