Burkina Faso explores Brazilian expertise to improve meat industry
The government plans to export beef as it looks to strengthen national livestock productivity.
BURKINA FASO – Burkina Faso is seeking to upgrade its livestock sector through a new partnership with Brazil’s Daniel Franco Institute (IDF), focusing on improving animal breeds and increasing meat and dairy yields.
The collaboration was explored during a working visit by IDF officials who arrived in Burkina Faso on June 20 to identify potential areas for cooperation with the Center for the Promotion of Poultry and Multiplication of High-Performance Animals (CPAMAP).
According to CPAMAP Director General Ardiouma Sirima, talks with the Brazilian delegation considered importing high-yield livestock breeds and reproductive materials, including animal semen, to support the country’s livestock improvement goals.
This comes amid Burkina Faso’s growing interest in developing its meat sector, with the government announcing on April 8 its intention to begin exporting beef as part of wider efforts to commercialize its livestock industry.
At the same time, plans to reduce dependency on imported dairy products are also gaining ground, especially after the launch of the public dairy company Faso Kosam on March 27.
The dairy company is expected to meet at least half of the country’s milk and dairy product consumption in the long term, a move that reflects the state’s broader agricultural policy objectives.
Data published in a 2018 report by GIZ shows the significant productivity gap Burkina Faso faces, with dairy cows in the country producing between 200 and 500 liters of milk annually.
In contrast, average milk production in Brazil is estimated at 2,500 to 3,000 liters per dairy cow each year, highlighting the potential benefits of importing more productive breeds.
The partnership with IDF is also expected to include support for developing forage crops, which are essential for sustaining high-yield animals.
CPAMAP hopes that through technical collaboration, Burkina Faso can achieve gradual improvements in animal performance, especially in strategic areas like meat and milk production.
The discussions with IDF signal the country’s interest in long-term solutions to improve animal genetics rather than short-term interventions.
Although no formal agreements have been signed yet, the ongoing talks could lay the groundwork for a broader cooperation framework between Burkina Faso and Brazil in livestock development.
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