Empowering Burkina Faso’s Agricultural Value Chains: Three Success Stories in Sustainable Development

Across Burkina Faso, smallholder farmers and processors form the backbone of the country’s agricultural economy, yet they often face persistent challenges: declining yields, soil degradation, limited access to finance, and weak organizational structures. Through strategic technical assistance partnerships with the Smallholder Safety Net Upscaling Programme (SSNUP), NERE CAPITAL has supported three key agribusinesses Kokuma SA, SIATOL SA, and Savonnerie Parfumerie du Houet (SPH) in strengthening their supply chains while improving the livelihoods of over 1,200 smallholder farmers and processors. 

These three projects, spanning the rice, soybean, and shea butter value chains, illustrate a shared vision: sustainable agricultural transformation built on training, structuring, technology, and market access. 

Rice: Boosting Yields Through Agroecology and Digitalisation in Bagré 

Kokuma SA, a rice processing company in Bagré, partnered with SSNUP and NERE CAPITAL to reverse a worrying decline in paddy yields caused by poor production practices and soil degradation. 

With a total technical assistance budget of €61,670 (80% funded by SSNUP), the project delivered: 

• Training for 300 smallholders in technical itineraries, agroecological intensification, and cooperative governance 

• Introduction of a digital ERP system for monitoring production and ensuring traceability 

• Train-the-trainer sessions for Kokuma staff and farmer representatives 

• Support toward HACCP certification 

Result: Increased rice yields and improved incomes for Kokuma’s entire smallholder network. 

 

Soybean: Structuring Farmers for Sustainable Growth 

In central Burkina Faso, SIATOL SA, a leading soybean processor supplying poultry feed and cooking oil markets, faced falling soybean output due to non-compliance with good agricultural practices and shrinking cultivated areas. 

With a €56,406 technical assistance budget (80% from SSNUP), the project achieved: 

• Formal structuring of 400 farmers into 10 cooperatives 

• Training in Good Agricultural Practices, financial literacy, and cooperative governance 

• Development of targeted commercial strategies to strengthen the value chain 

Result: Higher soybean yields and stronger, better-organized farmer cooperatives ready for long-term growth.

 

Shea Butter: Empowering Women Processors in Western Burkina Faso 

Savonnerie Parfumerie du Houet (SPH), a Bobo-Dioulasso-based producer of shea butter cosmetics and soap, works with a network of over 800 women shea butter processors. These women faced challenges including inadequate equipment and limited financial management skills. 

With a €41,466 budget (80% SSNUP-funded), the project focused on: 

• Training 500 women in transforming shea butter waste into organic fertiliser 

• Building the capacity of 100 cooperative leaders in governance and management 

• Strengthening financial literacy to improve access to financial institutions 

Result: Increased incomes for SPH’s network of women processors and more sustainable, circular production practices. 

 

A Shared Model for Impact 

Though these three projects serve different value chains, they reflect a common approach championed by NERE CAPITAL and SSNUP: 

• Capacity building: equipping smallholders with technical and managerial skills. 

• Organizational structuring: formalizing cooperatives for stronger bargaining power and governance 

• Sustainability and innovation: promoting agroecology, digital tools, and circular practices 

• Inclusive finance: improving financial literacy and access for smallholders. 

Together, these initiatives have supported the growth of resilient agribusinesses while directly improving the incomes and livelihoods of thousands of smallholder families across Burkina Faso.

Looking Ahead 

NERE CAPITAL remains committed to deploying technical assistance that drives measurable impact across the agricultural value chains it supports. These three success stories demonstrate how targeted investment in people, processes, and technology can transform entire supply chains benefiting businesses, farmers, and rural communities alike. 

You support a network of smallholder producers and want to learn more about Néré Capital’s programs? Contact us at info@nerecapital.com

ADA : adaimpact.lu

Kokuma SA: kokumabf.com

SIATOL SA : siatol.bf

SPH: sph-burkina.com