The Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Burkina Faso, Zhao Deyong, and the Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources, and Fisheries, Gaoussou Sanou, launched the rice harvest in the village of Kouzoughin, in the Kadiogo region, on November 6, 2026. This event is part of the Festival des moissons de l'amitié sino-burkinabè, a harvest festival instituted under the agricultural cooperation between Burkina Faso and China.
The festival aims to strengthen agricultural cooperation between the two countries, which have a significant rural population facing similar challenges in increasing agricultural productivity and modernizing agriculture. Zhao Deyong expressed his satisfaction with the results obtained in Kouzoughin and shared the vision of the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who prioritizes the development of the primary sector, including agriculture, livestock, and fisheries, in the 2026-2030 development plan.
China has committed to providing emergency food aid to African countries, establishing standardized agricultural demonstration zones, sending Chinese agronomists, and implementing public interest projects to encourage investments from both countries. Zhao Deyong emphasized that China and Burkina Faso, as agricultural countries, face the same challenge of increasing agricultural productivity and achieving agricultural modernization.
Gaoussou Sanou recalled that since the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and China, the partnership has been strengthened through several projects. During the 2025-2026 agricultural campaign, the Ministry of Agriculture benefited from support in labor, improved seeds, and fertilizers to cultivate 495 hectares of low-lying areas in eight regions of Burkina Faso.
The Kouzoughin low-lying area, in addition to the support in inputs, benefited from a fish pond, boreholes for market gardening production, and chicks for model households. In May 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture received a donation of equipment from China, including tractors, motor cultivators, seed drills, and animal production equipment.
To ensure sustainable food and nutritional security, Burkina Faso has committed to intensifying its agropastoral and fisheries production through support in seeds and quality fertilizers, mechanization of production, harvesting, and post-harvest operations. Gaoussou Sanou emphasized the importance of this cooperation in achieving the country's food security goals.
The President of the Kouzoughin low-lying area producers, Ousmane Ilboudo, recalled that the low-lying area has existed since 2012 and brings together two villages, Kouzoughin and Bazoulé, with around 400 producers. He praised China's invaluable support in producing local and Chinese rice in their low-lying area, including the provision of 13 tons of fertilizer, two boreholes, and a fuel allocation of 1.7 million F CFA.
Key points
- China and Burkina Faso have launched a joint rice harvest project in Kouzoughin as part of their agricultural cooperation agreement.
- The project aims to increase agricultural productivity and achieve sustainable food and nutritional security in Burkina Faso.
- The cooperation between China and Burkina Faso includes the provision of emergency food aid, agricultural equipment, and technical support to Burkinabé farmers.
