Boost to Local Economy and Agricultural Sector
On December 16, 2024, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, unveiled the Burkina Faso second major tomato processing plant in less than a month. Located in Yako, a city in the northern region of Burkina Faso, the Société Faso Tomates (SOFATO) facility is expected to significantly boost the nation’s tomato industry. With an impressive production capacity of 100 tonnes per day, the plant represents a strategic step in increasing local processing and creating employment opportunities.
Strategic Location for Sustainable Development
The Burkina Faso Tomato processing plant has been built in the village of Pougyango, which is situated just 10 kilometers away from one of the country’s largest dams. This proximity ensures a stable and reliable water supply, which is essential for both tomato cultivation and processing. The careful selection of the location underscores the government’s commitment to supporting sustainable agricultural development in the country.
Significant Investment and Funding Sources
The construction of the SOFATO plant comes at a total cost of over 5 billion FCFA. It was funded through a mix of public and private investments, including a substantial 1 billion FCFA contribution from the Economic Fund for Economic and Social Development (FONEDES). Additionally, nearly 400 million FCFA came from the Agency for the Promotion of Community Entrepreneurship, with the rest raised through popular shareholding. This blend of funding sources highlights the collaborative effort to improve Burkina Faso’s industrial and agricultural capacities.
Creating Jobs and Generating Revenue
According to Aziz Nignan, chairman of the cooperative society SCOOP-CA, the SOFATO plant is poised to become a key driver of economic growth. With projections of generating 7 billion FCFA in revenue during its first year, the plant is expected to play a crucial role in the nation’s agricultural transformation. The facility has already created 100 direct jobs and over 1,500 indirect jobs, with expectations that this number will rise as operations continue to scale.
Enhancing Supply Chains and Productivity
One of the key advantages of SOFATO’s location is its proximity to major tomato-growing areas. About 70 percent of the required raw materials for the plant are sourced from within a 200-kilometer radius. This efficient sourcing model is expected to streamline supply chains, enhance productivity, and ensure a steady flow of raw tomatoes for processing. This, in turn, will contribute to improving the livelihoods of local farmers and the overall competitiveness of Burkina Faso’s agricultural sector.
Support for National Resilience and Economic Growth
The inauguration of SOFATO comes just 16 days after the opening of another tomato processing facility, the Burkinabe Tomato Company (SOBTO), in Bobo-Dioulasso. This rapid development within Burkina Faso’s tomato processing sector demonstrates the government’s commitment to boosting industrialization and national self-sufficiency. By investing in such facilities, the country is paving the way for a more resilient economy that relies on local resources and provides significant benefits to communities across the nation.
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