Ouagadougou: Fifteen agricultural producers from the commune of Boudry in Ganzourgou province have successfully completed a five-day training course on seed production and packaging techniques. This initiative, concluded on Saturday, October 18, 2025, was launched by the Regional Directorate of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries of Oubri and financially supported by the Sanbrado Mining Company (SOMISA). It aims to enhance the technical skills of producers to improve the quality and availability of local seeds.
According to Burkina Information Agency, improved seeds significantly impact agricultural productivity, contributing between 30 and 40% to increased agricultural production yields. The training provided participants with essential skills in producing improved seed varieties, including sorghum, maize, millet, rice, cowpea, sesame, peanut, and soybean. Additionally, the participants learned packaging, conservation, and seed legislation applicable in Burkina Faso.
Denis Ouedraogo, representing the Director General of Plant Production (DGPV), highlighted the strategic importance of the training: “strengthening the operational capacities of producers in order to guarantee the availability of quality seeds.” He encouraged participants to register in the seed producer register and become role models in their communities.
Oubri Regional Director of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Fisheries, Ms. Loumbana Beatrice Tingueri, acknowledged the dedication of participants and the quality of the training provided. She emphasized that this training would increase the number of seed producers in the region, ensuring the availability of quality seeds for local producers.
Michel Sawadogo, a seed inspector and trainer, noted that the training was conducted in a positive working environment despite some challenges related to the harvest period. With an average score of 14.60/20, all participants were deemed capable of producing improved seeds. He stressed the importance of practical application, stating, “You can be good in class and not be so in the field.”
Neill Sawadogo, a livelihood restoration technician representing SOMISA, described the training as a continuation of a program initiated in 2022. The initial phase resulted in the harvest of approximately thirty tons of certified seeds, directly purchased by the mine to support local producers. Based on this success, the training aimed to diversify the skills of beneficiaries to expand their production to other crops.
The training, costing over three million CFA francs, aligns with SOMISA’s strategy to promote a circular economy and sustainable rural development in its operational areas.
On behalf of the training beneficiaries, the Weog-Naaba of Nedogo expressed gratitude to SOMISA and the technical services for their support and appealed for their continued assistance.
The event concluded with a symbolic presentation of certificates to the beneficiaries.