Programme for the Promotion of Agricultural Entrepreneurship

The PAPEA Programme, a result of the collaboration between the Swiss Cooperation in Burkina Faso and the Burkinabe government, seeks to revitalise the agricultural sector through transformation, conservation, and investment in the private sector, which provides jobs and income for rural and peri-urban populations.

The programme is scheduled to last twelve (12) years and is divided into three (3) phases. The first phase was implemented from June 2019 to August 2023. The second phase commenced in September 2023 and will conclude in August 2027.

SNV and Helvetas implement the programme.

Agriculture plays a significant role in the Burkinabe national economy. The country possesses an underutilised potential for agri-food production and processing. The inadequate performance of agricultural enterprises, the poor adaptation of financial products and services, and the limited development of agricultural entrepreneurship hinder the creation of decent jobs and income opportunities for young people and women.

Nevertheless, this agricultural sector can be optimised by addressing these constraints--and this guided the establishment of the PAPEA programme.

The PAPEA programme was established to develop agricultural entrepreneurship to generate income and create decent jobs that benefit rural and peri-urban populations, particularly young people, women, and vulnerable groups. The programme operates in three regions: the North, the Centre and the West. It also operates in the Hauts-Bassins and two peri-urban areas, including Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.

SNV is responsible for the North, Centre-West, and Hauts-Bassins regions, while Helvetas is responsible for the Centre region.

The first phase of the programme strengthened the viability and productivity of at least 6,000 agricultural businesses operating in 60 business clusters.

The second phase of the programme will focus on strengthening existing clusters in the following areas:

• Sustainable, diverse, and inclusive business relationships.

• Implementation of collective strategies mobilising different types of investments.

• Credibility and solvency of agricultural businesses.

• Deployment of technical services and support for agricultural entrepreneurship.

• Diversification of agricultural entrepreneurial activities.

• Relationships between business clusters and the development of local food systems.