On Wednesday, July 2, 2025, the Support Fund for Income-generating Activities for Women (FAARF) and the Burkinabè Tomato Society (SOBTO) signed a partnership agreement to support the production and marketing of tomatoes in Burkina Faso. The signing ceremony took place at the SOBTO headquarters in Bobo-Dioulasso in the presence of the heads of both structures, women producers and

The signing of the partnership agreement aims to strengthen the tomato value chain, by providing solutions to women producers. It is also a question of supporting the production and marketing of tomatoes in Burkina Faso, while providing structural support to women involved in the sector. The initiative is part of the government's vision to support agricultural sectors with high potential for creating wealth, while placing particular emphasis on the economic inclusion of women

Through this agreement, FAARF and SOBTO intend to meet the challenges associated with the conservation, storage and processing of tomatoes, in order to reduce post-harvest losses and ensure better availability of the product all year round. According to the director general of the FAARF, Dr. Ravigsida Dorcas Tiendrebéoo/Compaoré, this agreement has two components

According to him, “for the first, it's about facilitating the financing of cooperatives that already work with SOBTO. Therefore, the FAARF is committed to supporting these brave women who are already well established and who work with SOBTO. And our role will be to facilitate the financing of these cooperatives. For the second point, on our side, we have women benefiting from the FAARF credit who are in tomato production and who often have a problem selling their products. So this agreement will allow these women to easily sell their products, in order to boost their income. And it will also be for the benefit of all the Burkinabe people

This win-win partnership between FAARF and SOBTO marks a major advance for the tomato industry. It values women's work, supports the local economy, strengthens food security and helps promote Burkinabe products throughout the