Burkina Faso: In Tintilou, rice could soon be harvested beyond the rainy season

In the commune of Komki-Ipala, rice is ripening on a plain of over 30 hectares. For the 312 farmers who work there, including 182 women, the challenge is no longer just to succeed in the current season. They want to be able to continue production once the rains have stopped.

The plain currently looks promising, with crops at the ripening stage. This growing season has been supported by plowing work as well as the provision of seeds and fertilizers. This support has helped create the conditions for a good harvest.

But to go further, the producers need water. During discussions with the Minister of State for Agriculture, Ismaël Sombié, on October 6, they requested the drilling of a well. The goal is to have a permanent water source to continue agricultural activities during the dry season.

This demand comes at a time when the developed land already offers significant production potential. With water available year-round, the same plain could be further utilized, allowing producers to complete consecutive growing seasons instead of relying solely on the rainy season.

The Minister of State indicated that this concern would be examined in order to identify swift solutions. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to facilitate access to water and increase the production capacity of rural areas.

In Tintilou, the current campaign thus provides a glimpse of what these lands can produce. The next battle will be to enable them to continue producing once the rains are over.