Dano: The Ioba Provincial Directorate of Water and Forests organized the second edition of the Ioba Provincial Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP) Days in partnership with Plan Burkina International, Gaoua Office from June 12 to 14, 2025, under the chairmanship of High Commissioner, Innocents Ouattara. The event was part of the delayed celebration of World Environment Day, commemorated annually on June 5. This year's theme was: "Non-timber forest products (NTFPs), a factor in the socio-economic development of Ioba women."
According to Burkina Information Agency, the edition was sponsored by Minister of Youth and Employment, Roland Somda, and co-sponsored by CEO of Wend-Panga OR company, El Adj Moussa Ou©draogo. Over the three-day event, several activities were organized, including a women's cycling race and a handy bike race for women with disabilities. A fair featuring NTFPs and traditional pharmacopoeia products showcased the efforts of around forty exhibitors at the Dano Women's Museum.
An official opening ceremony took place with the presence of mission manager, Henriette Orn©lie Som© / Somda, and El Adj Souleymane Sawadogo representing the sponsors. The event featured speeches, musical entertainment, and the presentation of certificates of recognition. Ollo Julien Kambou, the provincial director of water and forests of Ioba, highlighted the event's objective to promote NTFPs while preserving the environment. He emphasized the importance of planting and protecting trees and utilizing these products rationally.
Denis Zanr©, president of the Dano municipal special delegation, commended the participation in the event, reflecting a strong commitment to promoting NTFPs. Henriette Som©/Somda, from the Ministry of Sports, praised the provincial authorities for their dedication and conveyed the Minister of Sports' congratulations to all stakeholders. She noted that the initiative aims to market NTFPs and foster relationships between producers, technical services, and partners.
High Commissioner Innocents Ouattara noted that the theme of the event was apt, as women constitute over 70% of stakeholders in the field. He stressed the significance of NTFPs as a source of income, nutrition, traditional care, and economic empowerment, particularly for women and young people. Ouattara highlighted the sustainable development of NTFPs as a critical opportunity for the population of Ioba to combat poverty and preserve natural heritage in the face of climate change.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by stakeholders, including difficulty in product sales, low levels of processing, and poor sector organization. To address these issues, the Burkinabe government is supporting national production by creating sectors that serve as economic growth hubs. Ouattara thanked the sponsors for their support and commended the participants and organizing committee members for their efforts.
The event concluded with the High Commissioner cutting the symbolic ribbon to officially open the 2nd edition of the PFNL fair. Participants had the opportunity to explore the rich biodiversity of the Southwest region through visits to the exhibition stands.