Ouagadougou: Joseph Ki-Zerbo University officially launched the Agroecology Network project on Tuesday to promote the Sustainability of Food Systems in West and Central Africa (RADiUS) and ensure food sovereignty. The initiative is funded by the European Union to the tune of 5 million euros to support the agroecological transition in the West and Central African region.
According to Burkina Information Agency, of the 5 million euros allocated, approximately 525,000 euros is dedicated to activities planned in Burkina Faso for the period 2025-2028. The project aims in particular to ensure food, economic, and nutritional security and sovereignty through the promotion of sustainable agroecological practices.
The project’s national coordinator, Professor Antoine Sanon, highlighted that current agriculture threatens the balance of ecosystems. He emphasized the importance of more sustainable management of natural resources to preserve the viability of agricultural systems. The project aims to capitalize on existing good practices, strengthen farmers’ capacities, and share knowledge widely.
For UJKZ President, Professor Jean Fran§ois Silas Kobian©, the RADiUS project represents a vision for the future of African agriculture, integrating agricultural production, environmental protection, and the well-being of rural communities. He called on all stakeholders to support the project to drive a qualitative transformation of regional agriculture.
Present at the ceremony, the Director General of the Rural Farm Modernization Support Fund, Adama Boro, praised the project’s perfect consistency with the national agroecology development strategy 2023-2027, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture. RADiUS plans, among other things, to establish a regional knowledge-sharing platform, support academic and continuing education, promote community entrepreneurship, and advocate for a legal and institutional framework favorable to agroecology.