Ouagadougou: The coordinator of the NEEMA project, Professor Windpagnangde Dominique Kabre, gave an interview to AIB to present this regional initiative, which works to strengthen food and nutritional security through research, training, and social innovation. Implemented in Burkina Faso and several Sahel countries, the project aims to promote sustainable food systems adapted to local realities.
According to Burkina Information Agency, NEEMA, which means “food” in the Fulfulde language, aligns with the principles of the European Green Deal. “The aim is to develop initiatives that improve food and nutritional resilience in West Africa, while adapting the principles of the Green Deal to the Sahelian context,” explained Professor Kabre. The project seeks to promote collaboration between partner universities to develop pilot initiatives that strengthen food and nutritional resilience in the sub-region.
Professor Kabre emphasized the importance of innovative ideas that enable populations to achieve food and nutritional self-sufficiency. Thomas Sankara University (UTS) plays a central role in implementing the project in Burkina Faso, creating educational programs focused on food and nutritional security, and participating in research projects to discover innovative solutions. UTS has also set up a team to reflect on food resilience, a critical issue for national development.
Professor Kabre highlighted UTS’s collaboration with universities in Senegal, Niger, and Mali, countries facing similar food security and nutrition challenges. He underscored the necessity of joint efforts to find common solutions. A significant contribution of the NEEMA project is the creation of a network of training, trainers, and researchers to strengthen the capacities of higher education institutions, allowing young researchers to develop skills and implement appropriate training programs.
For communities, NEEMA promotes innovative projects aimed at improving food and nutritional security. The coordinator stressed the importance of developing concrete strategies and action plans to tackle food security challenges. Recent research conducted by the project resulted in a report assessing the existing institutional, legal, and political framework in Burkina Faso. The report recommends strengthening effective policies and prioritizing the agricultural sector, crucial for national food security.
To enhance resilience, Professor Kabre advocated for developing adapted agricultural techniques and promoting local initiatives that empower communities. He urged politicians to act on the recommendations made. Funded by the European Union through the Erasmus+ program and coordinated by Ulysses University, the NEEMA project aims to strengthen regional resilience by combining local strategies with international references. The initiative unites 14 universities, including 8 in West Africa and 6 in Europe, with the overall objective of empowering higher education institutions to train individuals capable of designing and implementing sustainable food and nutrition security policies and practices.