In the Kadiogo Region’s Boulbi district, Burkina Faso and China marked a key milestone in agricultural cooperation with the inaugural China–Burkina Faso Friendship Harvest Festival, where Chinese Ambassador Zhao Deyong and Burkina Faso’s Secretary-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Gaoussou Sanou, jointly cut the first sheaves of high-yield hybrid rice. The event showcased a demonstration base where 16 new Chinese hybrid rice varieties were planted and harvested, signalling progress in their joint goal of food self-sufficiency and modernised agriculture.
The hybrid varieties, approved for national cultivation in 2024, have already shown strong performance. Officials noted yields in pilot plots approaching nine tonnes per hectare – far surpassing the Burkina Faso national average of 2.3 tonnes per hectare. These results reflect the impact of a third phase of Chinese technical assistance, which began in March 2025 and focuses on irrigation, mechanised farming, and training local farmers and technicians.
“Agriculture is fundamental to a nation’s development,” said Ambassador Zhao Deyong. “China will continue working closely with Burkina Faso to share experience, deepen cooperation, and help the country achieve food self-sufficiency and agricultural modernisation.” – Ambassador Zhao Deyong.
Burkina Faso has consistently ranked rice as a strategic staple crop, and the government’s 2023-2025 Agro-pastoral and Fisheries Offensive Plan emphasises expanding rice cultivation. The collaboration with China is part of this strategic effort, and over the earlier phases, Chinese technical teams helped develop 2,000 hectares of lowland rice and expand cultivation by 30,000 hectares.
China–Burkina Faso relations took a step forward in 2018 when diplomatic ties were reinstated, paving the way for enhanced South-South cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure and energy. Beyond rice, China has supported Burkina Faso in agro-innovation, solar-power farms and capacity-building projects.
For local farmers, the shift to Chinese hybrid rice is already changing the game. Farmer Khadija Kiemde observed, “This year’s crop grew so fast and the grains are full. We believe this will change our farming and improve our future.”
The deeper significance of the harvest event lies in its demonstration of how China-Africa agricultural partnerships can align with Africa’s priorities – local ownership, technology adaptation, and value-chain development. Analysts point out that rice imports have been a drag on West Africa’s food security and that raising yields locally can reduce dependence on imports, boost income and strengthen rural economies.
Looking ahead, both countries emphasized further steps: scaling demonstration zones, localising seed-multiplication plants, integrating mechanised services and building resilient agriculture systems. As Burkina Faso faces increasing climate risks, such cooperative efforts offer a pathway toward resilient food systems and inclusive rural growth.
The China–Burkina Faso harvest celebration marks more than an agricultural milestone – it embodies a deepening partnership rooted in innovation, shared growth and the transformation of African agriculture.
