USAID Snapshot: Success Story

This insecurity led to food insecurity and economic hardship for local communities. The initiative, which took place during the short window of opportunity provided by the end of the rainy season, aimed to support and mobilize communities in target communes affected by VEO threats. A local network of farmers collaborated with USAID/OTI's BFRP to establish groups of 15 volunteers to assist farmers in harvesting their fields, thereby reducing the time spent outside and minimizing the risk of VEO attacks. Over the course of one month, this activity mobilized approximately 600 volunteers spanning 35 villages. These volunteers harvested the fields of 420 farmers, including 131 women, helping them to secure a significant part of their crops. The assistance provided by the volunteers enabled farmers to harvest their crops and combat the economic hardship and food insecurity. The group harvesting initiative faced some operational difficulties but contributed to fostering a sense of unity among community members from every ethnic and religious group, organized into neighborhood groups. The activity also improved access to fields during the critical harvesting season, which helped to improve agricultural yields. A local mother, who had been worried about harvesting her field due to frequent reports of attacks in the area, was able to harvest one hectare and collect three carts of sorghum with the support of volunteers. She expressed gratitude for the assistance, stating that without it, she would not have been able to harvest her farm. The initiative not only provided support and solidarity to farmers during a critical time but also opened the door for others by bringing people together. To maintain this momentum of solidarity between community members, BFRP provided each farmer group in the participating communes with six plows and one cart to continue supporting those in need during the next growing seasons. This support is expected to have a lasting impact on the communities, promoting unity and cooperation among farmers and helping to improve agricultural productivity. The group harvesting initiative demonstrated the effectiveness of community-based approaches in addressing the challenges posed by VEO attacks in the Nord region of Burkina Faso. By mobilizing volunteers and providing them with the necessary resources, BFRP was able to support farmers in securing their crops and improving their economic well-being. The initiative's focus on solidarity and mutual aid helped to foster a sense of unity among community members, which is essential for building resilience and promoting long-term development in the region.