(Ecofin Agency) - In Burkina Faso, where insecurity heightens the risk of food scarcity, the government has decided to bolster one of its key food stock management structures. The government has approved increasing the capital of the National Food Security Stock Management Company (SONAGESS) to CFA1 billion ($1.6 million), five times its initial capital of $329,250. This announcement was made during the Council of Ministers meeting on July 3.

“The adoption of this decree aims to better address current challenges regarding market access for producers and food security management,” the government statement said.

Over 2.5 million people in the country, or 11% of the population, face a "crisis" level of food insecurity, according to the latest projections from the Harmonized Framework. Additionally, more than 260,000 people are experiencing "emergency" levels of food insecurity.

SONAGESS, a public institution established in 1994, manages the National Food Security Stock (SNS), which includes millet, maize, and sorghum, staples of the local diet. Among its other social and economic missions are managing the Intervention Stock (SI), the Commercial Regulation Stock (SCR), food aid management, supplying deficit areas, and collecting, processing, and disseminating agricultural market information.