Context

The Government of Burkina Faso, FAO and its Global Soil Partnership (GSP) are launching the project “Soils for Nutrition in Burkina Faso (Soils4Nutrition) Phase II”, funded by Germany through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH).

The project aims to strengthen farmers’ skills and practices to improve soil fertility and the nutritional value of food. This second phase builds on the results of Phase I and will focus on training farmers in sustainable soil management, improving soil health, and promoting knowledge sharing among farmers in Burkina Faso, Colombia and Mexico, as well as in the Latin America and Caribbean region.

The project supports sustainable soil management in line with the Voluntary Guidelines for Sustainable Soil Management (VGSSM), contributing to rural development, improved nutrition, and stronger participation of women and youth. It builds on FAO tools such as the Technical Guidelines on Soils for Nutrition, the Global Soil Doctors Programme (GSDP), the Soils for Nutrition module, and the Protocol for the Assessment of Sustainable Soil Management.

The project focuses on three outputs: 

• Output 1: Strengthened technical capacities and awareness of the soil health–crop diversity–nutrition link through dissemination of Soils4Nutrition technical guidelines.
• Output 2: Sustainable soil management practices implemented on selected farms.
• Output 3: Increased global and regional awareness on soils for nutrition.

Objectives of the Workshop

The workshop aims to officially launch the Soils4Nutrition project in Burkina Faso and initiate its technical planning.

It will bring together key stakeholders including BUNASOLS, Université Nazi Boni (UNB), farmers’ associations, government institutions, academic and nutrition services, and development partners to promote collaboration, share knowledge, and define a clear roadmap for implementation.

Specifically, the workshop will: 

• Formally launch the Soils4Nutrition Project and present its objectives, components and implementation strategy.
• Strengthen stakeholder engagement and institutional collaboration.
• Facilitate technical dialogue on soil health, crop diversity and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
• Identify synergies with ongoing initiatives and validate priority activities.
• Develop and agree on a workplan and implementation timeline.

Expected outputs 

• Presentation of Soils4Nutrition Phase II activities to stakeholders.
• Strengthened ownership of the project among stakeholders.
• Agreement on intervention areas, key stakeholders and partner projects.
• Discussion of reporting and cross-cutting issues such as gender and nutrition.
• Identification of synergies with local initiatives.
• Validation of next steps and the project workplan.

Organizers
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Fisheries Resources (MAERAH), FAO Burkina Faso, FAO Global Soil Partnership (GSP), Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH), BUNASOLS and Université Nazi Boni (UNB).

Agenda 

Date: Thursday 23rd April 2026 11.00–16.00
Place: Hotel TANTIGA, ZINIARE
Moderator: Romba Rasmané BUNASOLS (TBC)

07.30–9.00
Arrival and registration of participants
Ms Alizeta Tapsoba, FAO Communication officer / Mr Souleymane Traoré, Expert Agronomist, FAO Burkina Faso

9.00–9.30
Opening Remarks
Mr Yacouba Dialla: Representing the Chairman of the special delegation of Ziniare
Mr Madi Savadogo, Representing the FAO Representative, Burkina Faso
Mr Jan Meise, Premier Conseiller / Chargé d’affaires, Germany Embassy in Burkina Faso
Ms Thorunn WolframPetursdottir, GSP Secretary, Land and Water Division, FAO
Mrs Zoungrana/Koita Estele, Research Officer, Representing the Secretary General, Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Animal and Fisheries Resources (MAERAH): Official launch of the project

09.30–09.45
Introduction of participants
Presentation of the workshop agenda, expectations of the participants, workshop rapporteurs
Mr Souleymane Traoré, Expert Agronomist FAO

09.45–10.00
Presentation: The Global Soils4Nutrition project
Mr Yuxin Tong, Land and Water Officer, Project manager, FAO HQ

10.00–10.15
Group photo and interviews (with Press)
Ms Alizeta Tapsoba, FAO Communication officer
SG/MAERAH
FAOR
Donor representative
Beneficiaries (farmers)

10.15–10.30
Coffee Break

10.30–11.00
Presentation 2: Project activities to be implemented by BUNASOLS
Dr Poulouma Louis Yameogo (TBC), Director General, BUNASOLS

11.00–11.15
Presentation 3: Project activities to be implemented by UNB
Prof Meda T Roland, Biochemistry, Phytochemistry Focal Point FAO UFR/Sciences Université Nazi BONI

11.15–12.00
Discussions on the two presentations (relevant information, programmes and partnerships for the implementation of the project)
Dr Poulouma Louis Yameogo: BUNASOLS

12.00–12.15
Presentation 4: Partner projects for complementarity and synergy of action with Soils4Nutrition Project
Mr Souleymane Traore, FAO BF

12.15–12.45
Discussions on the presentation – partner projects
Mr Souleymane Traore, FAO BF

12.45–13.45
Lunch

13.45–14.00
Update on the project implementation and experiences in Mexico and Colombia
Ms Vinisa SaynesSantillan, GSP Secretariat, Land and Water Division, FAO HQ

14.00–14.30
Discussions on the experiences of the project implementation
Ms Janet Nabwami, GSP Secretariat, Land and Water Division, FAO HQ

14.30–15.00
Summary and recommendations / workshop report
Workshop Rapporteur: Koulsé Field Office, FAO BF

15.00–15.15
Next steps
Mr Souleymane Traore, FAO BF

15.15–15.30
Closing the workshop
Mrs Zoungrana/Koita Estele, Research Officer, Representing the Secretary General, MAERAH