The droughts observed during the period 1970-1995 confirmed the importance of the lowlands in the production system. Today, they are the preferred location for concentrating groundwater and surface water. Their ability to provide good relative fertility and residual moisture for crops makes them ideal zones for securing production and adapting to the effects of climate change. Hence the importance of trajectory 1 of the Agrifood Program for Integrated Resilience and Economic Development in the Sahel (Pro-ARIDES), entitled “Improving food, farm and herd management for more resilient production systems and better household nutrition”. This multi-country program is implemented by the Dutch Development Organization SNV (lead), CARE, WUR and KIT and national organizations. As part of the implementation of activities under trajectory 1 “Improving food, farm and livestock management for more resilient production systems and better household nutrition” this program has identified dynamic groups of women who farm artisanal rice lowlands with a view to increasing their resilience through increased agricultural productivity.
From March to November 2023, Pro-ARIDES has begun a series of lowland development projects in the Northern region: YIBI site (33ha), Rassamtoumdé (10ha) in the commune of Arbollé and also Baniou (15ha) in the commune of Gomponsom and in the Centre-West: Delba (10ha), Po (15ha) and Imouga (5ha) respectively in the communes of Gogyr, Kyon and Didyr.
Securing these developments gave rise to a synergy of action between the Fédération des Sociétés Coopératives des Professionnels Agricoles du Burkina (FESCOPAB) and the Observatoire National du Foncier au Burkina Faso (ONF-BF), both national organizations implementing the program. As a result of the negotiation process, 8 lowlands with a total surface area of around 167 ha were secured. In addition, a feasibility study (topographical surveys and socio-economic study) was carried out around each rice-growing lowland to confirm the suitability of the sites and the favorable opinions of the communities. Following this study, a total area of 130 ha was selected and validated.