As part of a move to bolster its agriculture, Burkina Faso has distributed 5,000 motorcycles and 5,000 farming tools to local farmers nationwide.
The initiative aims to improve farmers’ access to their fields and enhance the cultivation of cashew apples, a key agricultural product in the region.
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This effort aligns with President Ibrahim Traoré’s vision of reducing Burkina Faso’s reliance on imported goods by prioritizing local production and processing.
A factory valued at over 150 billion CFA francs (approximately $260 million) is currently under construction to process cashew products domestically.
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The new factory is expected to be operational by December 2025. It will process 5,000 tons of cashews annually, producing derivatives such as juice, wine, vinegar, and alcohol.
Authorities also anticipate that the facility will spend over CFA500 million ($867,000) yearly to purchase cashews from farmers, providing a vital income stream.