Informations et ressources scientifiques
sur le développement des zones arides et semi-arides

Titre : Burkina Primeur, sustainable production of onions and shallots for the West African market

Pays : Burkina Faso

Dates : Start date : 1 January 2010 // End date : 10 May 2012

Identification projet : NL-KVK-27378529-PSI09BF22

Programme : Private Sector Investment programme (PSI)

Présentation
The existing commercial relationship between applicant v.o.f. Harry Goesten and local partner Faso Fruits et Legumes (FFL) dates back to 2005 with the production of green beans. This project involved 500 outgrowers who produce green beans which are exported to v.o.f. Harry Goesten in the Netherlands. Because the green bean campaign lasts from October to March, with an average of 4 months real occupation of the cultivation process, v.o.f. Harry Goesten and the outgrowers have been investigating opportunities to extend production above the 4 months period and to diversify sources of income. This search resulted in the idea of introducing the production of onions and shallots. Onion and shallots can be grown alternatively but more or less parallel with green beans and there are excellent opportunities for regional export to Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo. The local market shows opportunities for especially the onions.
A joint venture will be established which shall develop locally adapted / improved planting materials and undertake the required activities for the training and supervision of about 6,000 outgrowers (500 of which are outgrowers in the green bean project) to grow over 50 ha of high quality onions and shallots. The production of the outgrowers, roughly 1,200 tons of onions and shallots, will be treated, packaged and commercialised through the planned joint venture company in the surrounding countries. The joint venture will create 20 directs jobs and 50 indirect jobs and strengthen the position of the outgrowers through diversification of their sources of incomes.

Impact
Employment and working conditions At the end of the PSI phase, Burkina Primeur will employ a minimum of 30 permanent staff members of which at least 8 medium- to high-level employers and 22 unskilled labourers. In addition, an estimated 50 part-timers will be employed for 2 to 4 months per year. Wages and benefits paid for a standard working hours or month meet, at a minimum, the national legal wage. For the regular personal, the joint venture will pay at least 10% above the minimum wage in Burkina Faso (as fixed by the Government of Burkina Faso) according to the various qualification. The working hours will comply with national laws and will not be in excess of 40 hours per week. Overtime will be voluntary and not exceed 12 hours per week and will be always compensated at the legal premium rate. Additionally, the Burkina Primeur will promote an employee funds that will be managed by the employees. Burkina Primeur will encourage such creation and donate 1% of the net profit of the company to the funds. About 6,000 outgrowers will be self-employed to earn decent revenues to move them out of the poverty line.

Chain effects
The main objective of the project is to develop the onions and shallots sector of Burkina Faso by improving varieties, quality and marketability. The following parties will take profit of the project : - The farmer communities. The project backbone are the 6,077 smallholders who will cultivate the onions and shallots. This network of outgrowers will be extended during the follow phase. - Providers of farms inputs and equipments, such as irrigation equipments. - The traders and wholesalers. - The transportation and logistic companies that will be mobilised to deliver the onions and shallots to the customers. Among these, there are several hundred or thousands of retailers across the countries that will be enabled to earn a good living.

Position of women
The project will specially benefit women in the sense that women are the traditional farm workers in Burkina Faso. Among the 6,077 outgrowers of the planed project, 70% of them are women. In any case, 70% of the project personnel will be women especially in the post-harvest handling centre.

Partenaire (s) : Netherlands Enterprise Agency, Faso Fruits et Légumes S.A.R.L., v.o.f. Harrie Goesten

Budget Total : €734,509

Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)