How Burkina Faso’s Women Are Building a Cashew-Powered Future

In the heart of Burkina Faso, a quiet revolution has taken root, one that’s changing lives, landscapes, and the future of farming.

What began in 2017 as a development project aimed at improving cashew production has grown into something much bigger: a blueprint for inclusive, sustainable rural development.

The Cashew Development Support Project in the Comoé Basin, known locally as PADA/REDD+, wrapped up in 2024 with a 95% implementation success rate. Backed by $5.39 million from the African Development Bank and its concessional funding arm, the African Development Fund, the project also drew support from Burkina Faso’s government and its rural communities.

But beyond the numbers lies a story of transformation, especially for women who are now leading the charge in agriculture and business.

Cashew as Catalyst

Burkina Faso’s economy has long leaned on agriculture, and cashew is now its third-largest export after cotton and sesame. But before the project arrived, farmers in the Cascades, Hauts-Bassins, and South-West regions had limited support, outdated tools, and little say in how their products reached the market.

Adama Patrick Sombié remembers those days clearly. A cashew nut processor in Bérégadougou, he recalls, “There were no cashew parks in our village, just forest and a few orchards. When the project came and offered plots, I signed up. I got two hectares and everything changed.”

That change began with trees, millions of them. Over seven years, the project planted more than 1.6 million improved cashew seedlings across 27,000 hectares of agroforestry plantations. A third of these are now managed by women, proving that when given the tools and the land, they can thrive.

Climate Meets Community

At its core, PADA/REDD+ was about more than just farming. It tackled climate change head-on through carbon sequestration, improved soil health, and reduced maintenance costs for smallholders. Farmers were trained in good agricultural and organic practices, over 35,000 of them, including 6,000 women.

The result? Better harvests, healthier ecosystems, and more resilient communities.

IV ZEAL VITAMIN

Christiane Koné, a processor in Toussiana, witnessed this change up close. “We’ve been able to purchase six automatic shelling machines. They work twice as fast as our 25 manual shelling tables. That means more income, more time, and more dignity.”

Banking on Women

One of the biggest obstacles for rural entrepreneurs, especially women, has always been access to finance. Through a partnership with local savings and loan cooperatives, the project introduced flexible loans that funded over 100 microprojects worth nearly $500,000.

These projects didn’t just create jobs; they created green jobs. Over 9,500 of them, more than 90% filled by women. With new processing units, warehouses, trucks, and tricycles, women have taken control of the value chain, from tree to trade.

Christiane Koné, a processor in Toussiana, purchased six automatic shelling machines

Aramatou Barro, a processor in Diéri, says the difference is life-changing: “This project is a blessing. Now we can send our children to school, keep them healthy, and sell at fair prices. Before, we had no power. Now we own the process.”

Infrastructure, Inclusion, and Impact

The infrastructure improvements are hard to ignore. Cooking and shelling centres were built specifically for women. Processing units modernised. Warehouses constructed. Trucks now travel routes that were once impassable. The ripple effects are felt across the country.

Isso Kindo, a trader from Bobo-Dioulasso, says, “Transport used to be our biggest challenge. Now, thanks to a truck financed by the project, I can move up to 60 tonnes of cashews from towns like Banfora and Mangodara.”

Arzouma Zougouri, a producer in Orodara, was able to further equip his processing unit

But it’s not just about logistics, it’s about leadership. In Orodara, Arzouma Zougouri, a young producer and entrepreneur, expanded his unit from 200 to 300 employees. “I got the tools, I got the training, and now I’m employing more people than ever,” he says.

More Than a Project—A Movement

PADA/REDD+ also helped formalise the sector by supporting 96 cooperatives to align with OHADA business standards and implementing a robust environmental management plan. It laid the groundwork for resilience, economic, environmental, and social.

By weaving together climate action, economic empowerment, and gender inclusion, the project is more than just a development success; it’s a movement. It shows that when communities are trusted with resources and responsibility, they flourish.

As the trees planted under this project continue to bear fruit, both literally and figuratively, the future looks promising for the women, youth, and farmers of Burkina Faso. They’re not just growing cashews. They’re growing opportunity, equity, and hope.