Burkina Faso to develop 50,000 hectares for irrigation
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Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, launched a project on October 20, 2026, to develop 50,000 hectares of irrigated land in Niaogho.
The initiative follows difficulties experienced during the 2026 rainy season and responds to a directive from President Ibrahim Traoré. Workers will prepare 60,000 hectares of land between November 2026 and April 2027, aiming to complete the irrigation of 50,000 hectares by October 31, 2027.
The project will cost an estimated 254.79 billion FCFA (currency of the West African Economic and Monetary Union) and involve several organizations including Faso Mêbo, SONATER, ONBAH, and the military engineers. Authorities expect the new irrigation systems to support at least three growing seasons each year. Additionally, restoring 10,464 hectares to production during the dry season should yield an extra 36,624 tonnes of crops.
Around 8,000 Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland Agriculture will assist with the work and receive priority when land plots are allocated. Local craftspeople will manufacture irrigation equipment currently imported, and the government asked citizens to release land and prepare for farming.
