(Ecofin Agency) - Ismaël Sombié, the Burkinabe Minister of Agriculture, Animal Resources, and Fisheries announced the official launch of the Livestock Resilience and Competitiveness Project (PRECEL). The kick-off ceremony took place last February 23 in Banakélédega, in the commune of Bama.

With a total budget of CFA120.6 billion (around $199 million), this initiative is jointly funded by the government, the International Development Association (IDA), and other partner financial institutions. It is scheduled for implementation between 2024 and 2030 and will benefit all 13 of the country's regions. The primary goal is to bolster the institutional framework for livestock promotion and value chain development in various sectors, including dairy, eggs, and meat.

With this new project, the government seeks to "enhance productivity, marketing, and resilience of the main sedentary livestock production systems for beneficiaries in targeted areas." By its end, authorities expect to see over 120,000 producers adopting improved livestock practices, a 20% increase in meat productivity (carcass weight in kilograms) among cattle, sheep, and goat farms, and a 20% rise in yields within dairy farms.

Let’s note that livestock farming contributes 18% to Burkina Faso’s GDP and accounts for 26% of the value of exports, according to official data.