Let us stick to our own straw mat and not sleep on the floor in somebody else’s house – or, in other words :

No food security without food sovereignty

Last week we spoke of a dream : to see all the inhabitants of Burkina unite –  or, even better,  of Africa  - to declare that we are tired of being assigned to the lowest and poorest corner, or as popular wisdom has it « sleeping on a borrowed straw mat on the floor”.  Today we will try and describe the way which would enable us all to have a proper place in our own quarters in a not too distant future.

For a start, let us move on with our analysis.

In one of the films produced by SEDELAN, François Traoré, then president of the National Farmers’ Union, pointed out that all the industrial products used in daily life in  Burkina, such as radios, cell phones, refrigerators, bicycles and even ball pens, are imported. He added :”If our food also has to come from abroad, where is then our independence?” And he continued: “If we import our food instead of eating what we ourselves produce, I cannot see any kind of possible development for this country!”

Even Bill Gates reminded us of this at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland: “Looking at the countries which have been successful in their economic development, we see that all, with the exception of the oil-producing ones, have made agriculture the fundamental component.”

There are some obvious facts that need to be recalled

Today everything moves on in Burkina and in some other West African countries as if governments had one single objective in mind: “Feed the urban population at the lowest possible cost.” Apparently our leaders have definitely forgotten that the majority of the population is made up of farmers and cattle keepers.

From time to time we read in the press that Burkina is a diligent disciple of the Bretton Woods institutions (The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund). Nevertheless, Burkina was ranked as number 176 out of 177 nations according to the UNDP Human Development Indicators.

Burkina Faso is a strange country.  It is having difficulties in feeding its people. And who is it that moves up front? The minister of agriculture? Not at all, it is the Trade Minister who takes the lead. In spite of the fact that 80% of the population make their living out of agriculture, we yet run the risk of having a ministry of Trade and Food shortly. In Germany, or in Quebec, where the percentage working in agriculture is only 2 -3%, the minister of agriculture is also the minister of food! But  not in Burkina! A paradox that should make us think twice.

The time has certainly come to decide where our true interests lie and to resolve to defend them and not letting our behaviour be dictated by external commands. Would it not be possible to regain a certain amount of pride and dignity and to agree on a minimum?

The first step could be a decision to put in place a sustainable agricultural policy, which would allow us, by the year 2015, to basically eat what we have produced (our rice, milk, tomatoes for example) and to dress in locally manufactured clothes, at least for holidays and celebrations.

Let us hear again the call from the National Farmers’ Union of September 8th 2006 (Moving on to a different track!):

“We, the farmers of Burkina Faso are convinced that agriculture is an occupation which should allow us, who work the land, to live in dignity from the fruits of our labour.

We remain convinced that the development of our country will come about by guaranteeing better living conditions for all in a spirit of social justice and fairness.

We are furthermore convinced that we are capable of producing the major part of the food our population needs.

Therefore we are prepared to make a commitment to this end. The only assurance we require is a sound national and international environment and some appropriate measures.”

We need an agricultural policy based on two main principles:

Ensuring food security and healthy products for the rural and urban population of West Africa, within  the framework of an approach that guarantees food sovereignty for the region.

Reducing import dependence by giving priority to locally produced and processed food.”

At the time of closing this bulletin I receive a document reporting on the staunch commitment of one minister of agriculture. He wants to work out a policy which will be the guideline for his country’s agriculture for the coming 40 years.

He explains that a two year period will be necessary to establish this policy and that all other ministries will be involved, the objective being to ensure that all local products meet consumer needs. In such a policy  careful attention will be paid to

- food sovereignty

- the protection of agricultural markets

- remuneration increases to producers

- meeting the needs of consumers

When asked what he will do to defend his policy at the World Trade Organisation, he instantly replies: “I am going to die standing up in their midst. They will have to walk over my dead body in order to strip us of the most important part of our agriculture:   supply management. (The basic principle of supply management is to ensure that domestic demand is met by local production, while giving producers a reasonable income and consumers a reasonable price).

Who is this brave minister of agriculture? Is he from a country where 8O% of the population make their living from agriculture, such as  Burkina Faso? Not so. He is Mr Laurent Lessard, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, of Quebec, Canada.

How long will it take until we hear an African minister of agriculture speak in such terms?

Koudougou March 15th 2008
Maurice Oudet
Director, SEDELAN