From October 4 to 9, 2026, an Ivorian delegation consisting of three farmers and three technicians from Fert Côte d’Ivoire traveled to Burkina Faso for an exchange visit with cowpea producers. Over the course of five days, they shared their experiences and practices related to this legume, as well as the services developed by producer organizations to meet the needs of their members.
Cowpeas at the Heart of Trade
In the Kadiogo region, Burkinabé farmers presented several initiatives developed within their organizations: collective procurement of inputs, seed production, production and sale of bio-inputs, agricultural extension, storage, collective sales, and cowpea processing.
In particular, the Ivorian delegation visited a trial plot where various fertilization methods were being tested on a smallholder scale by female cowpea producers in Pabré. In Komsilga, the delegation participated in a session on processing cowpeas into cookies and cakes, as well as in an awareness-raising activity on post-harvest management led by female producer leaders. Discussions with seed producers provided insight into the system for producing and supplying cowpea seeds established by the Union des SCOOPS.
Learning from One Another
Beyond the technical aspects and services, the visit above all allowed producers from both countries to share their experiences and work together to find solutions to common challenges.
“Sharing experiences is a good way to solve certain common problems. Today, we’re hosting producers from Côte d’Ivoire; tomorrow, we can go there to find solutions to certain challenges…”
Hamado OUEDRAOGO, President of the Union of SCOOPS of Pissila
For the Ivorian participants, learning about these experiences also provided a better understanding of how Burkinabé producer organizations operate.
“I’m captivated by the spirit of cooperation and the good rapport among members, elected officials, and farmer liaisons—each of whom understands their role very well. Cécile, the farmer liaison, knows more about soil health than an agronomist does. She may not necessarily know the exact pH level of her soil, but she knows how to tell if it’s acidic or alkaline. I’ve seen a genuine desire to learn and to share knowledge.”
Dolourou YEO, agricultural advisor in northern Côte d’Ivoire.
These discussions also provided an opportunity to share best practices developed in Côte d’Ivoire.
“The Ivorian team’s insights on storing cowpeas in cans, as well as the trials conducted at the CFAR—the Savanes Agricultural and Rural Training Center—and in farming communities, were very helpful to us.”
Zakaria SORE, Advisor to the Pabré Local Government in Burkina Faso
Exchanges That Go Beyond Cowpeas
The mission was not limited to cowpea production. The Ivorian participants also learned about other initiatives developed with support from Fert and its partners: an agroecological demonstration site in Komki-Ipala, a demonstration plot run by a lead farmer in Tanghin-Dassouri, and an animal health program in Komsilga focused on poultry vaccination.
These visits fueled discussions and led to further exploration of initiatives that can inform everyone’s thinking and practices.
South-South exchange visits: A catalyst for changing practices
This mission illustrates the value of South-South exchange visits: they enable producers and their organizations to meet, share practical experiences, and discover solutions developed in a different context but that can address common challenges.
To be useful and have a lasting impact, however, these visits must be planned well in advance, tailored to the participants’ needs, and followed up with concrete actions upon their return. In both Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, exchanges focused on cowpeas have thus made it possible to pool expertise, question certain practices, and identify new avenues for progress.
