AGRA

In the village of Goala, in the Centre-West region of Burkina Faso, a young woman is confidently reinventing rural farming with passion and an entrepreneurial spirit.

At 25, Rasmata Kientega is part of a new generation of rural women farmers who see the land not as a burden, but as a promise of dignity and a future.

An active member of the women’s cooperative Songre la Panga, Rasmata cultivates moringa, baobab, tomatoes, onions, and okra in the community nutrition garden established with support from the PRORES project, implemented by TREE AID and supported by AGRA. This garden not only feeds the village families but also generates real and steady income for 35 women. “This year, I sold 23,250 CFA francs worth of agricultural products,” says Rasmata. “Just with the leaves, we earned 22,500 francs. With tomatoes and onions, 115,000 francs. And with the okra, 35,000 francs.”

But for her, agriculture goes far beyond subsistence. It’s a source of personal pride, a path to economic independence, and a vision for the future. “I want to start a small ruminant livestock business,” she declares, standing among her 20 sheep. “It’s a profitable and promising activity. We just need a little boost to go further.”

Thanks to the project’s support, she has already gained access to land, hands-on training, and maize threshers. Her call now is clear: targeted support for local livestock farming to strengthen incomes, create jobs, and keep youth rooted in rural areas. Rasmata sees her future here, on her land, alongside her peers, transforming her community through smart and integrated agriculture.

Her journey shows that with the right resources, training, and confidence, young rural women can not only feed their villages but also build resilient agricultural micro-enterprises. It’s also a direct response to today’s challenges: food insecurity, climate change, and youth unemployment.

Where some see a need to migrate to cities or abroad, Rasmata sees an opportunity for local growth.

Her message is simple but powerful: agriculture is not a last resort. It’s a real profession. An ambition. A path to leadership.

“I want other girls to know that we can succeed right here, at home, with our land, our ideas, and our courage,” says Rasmata Kientega.