From November 25 to December 1, 2024, Dédougou, capital of the Boucle du Mouhoun region, vibrated to the rhythm of the 3rd edition of the city-countryside solidarity week. Organized by Inades-Formation Burkina and its partners under the theme ” Transition to sustainable and equitable localized food systems: the place and role of women “, the event highlighted the challenges and opportunities of sustainable food systems, as well as the role of women.
The city-countryside solidarity week is an annual gathering for exchanges on sustainable food systems. As with the two previous editions, the third featured panels, a conference, an exhibition and sale of agro-ecological and agri-food products, and a local food tasting session.
The panels were held on November 28 in the Salle Jude Bicaba at the Centre Benkagni in Dédougou. Crucial topics linked to food systems such as climate change, gender, agroecology and the challenges of agri-food processing were addressed. The event brought together specialists, farmers, processors, representatives of government technical services, international institutions, NGOs and associations, students and others.
The official opening ceremony of the 3rd edition of the Semaine de Solidarité Ville-Campagne took place on November 29, 2024 at the Place des Martyrs in Dédougou. In addition to the actors taking part in the panels, the ceremony was attended by administrative, political, customary and religious authorities. After welcoming the participants, Benoît OUEDRAOGO, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Inades-Formation Burkina, recalled the objectives of the event: ” This event aims to strengthen the links between urban and rural populations, while highlighting the central role of women in the transformation of food systems “. Souleymane NAKANABO, High Commissioner for the Mouhoun province and president of the 3rd edition, urged participants to ” actively commit to more inclusive and sustainable food systems “. After the various speeches, it was time to visit the stands showcasing local agro-ecological and agri-food products.
A fair to promote women’s knowledge and know-how
At the fair for the 3rd edition of the Semaine de solidarité ville-campagne, women from the four corners of the Boucle du Mouhoun region exhibited a variety of sustainable food system products. This diversity ranged from farmers’ seeds to agroecological production machinery, natural fertilizers and bio-protectors and bio-repellents, processed local cereals, local juices and wines, etc.
Fatimata OUATTARA, a processor of local products in Dédougou, one of the star exhibitors at the fair, tells us: ” I congratulate Inades-Formation Burkina on this initiative. It is most welcome in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. This fair is an exceptional showcase for us. It has enabled us to showcase our products while serving as a model for other processors. “. Abi SANON is also delighted that the fair is taking place. We made some sales and we also had some contacts. Frankly, we’d like to thank Inades-Formation Burkina. “. For Richard OUOBA, trainer in the agri-food industry and director of VOA Elite Sarl, ” Compared with other fairs, we really sold out. The products we brought with us were very much appreciated. We brought natural juices, wine, and all that’s finished! . “
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In addition to the sales exhibition, the fair was the setting for a tasting session of local dishes. Visitors were able to discover a variety of flavors associated with dishes and beverages based on local agricultural products. On offer at the tasting table were tô (paste) made from petit millet, dèguè made from rice bellows and potatoes, cowpea cakes, rice porridge with moringa, petit millet porridge with groundnut powder, and eggplant patties. There were also local juices and wines.
In addition, students from Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly University in Dédougou took part in a conference organized as part of the 2024 city-countryside solidarity week, to raise awareness of the notion of the common good and the “one student, one multi-utility tree” concept, an initiative designed to reconcile education, reforestation and resilience to climate change.
Key partners included Inter Pares, Misereor, Conseil National de l’Agriculture Biologique (CNABio), Organisation Catholique pour le Développement et la Solidarité (OCADES Dédougou). Other structures based in Dédougou were represented on the organizing committee. These included the Université Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly de Dédougou, the Réseau des Associations et Unions de Promotion de l’Agroécologie (RAUPA), AZAMA, and the Union régionale des sociétés Coopératives de Commercialisation des produits Agricoles de la Boucle du Mouhoun. Dédougou town council has also been a partner of the Semaine de Solidarité Ville Campagne since its first edition.
More than just an event, the 3rd edition of the Semaine de Solidarité Ville-Campagne was a genuine platform for sharing and exchange, where innovative ideas emerged to strengthen cooperation between the various players. It also enabled women to learn from each other, celebrate local initiatives and highlight the essential role of women in transforming sustainable food systems. We look forward to the 4th edition in 2025.
Julio YAMEOGO
