The Association of Women in the Mining Sector of Burkina (AFEMIB) organized from August 19 to 21, 2024, a theoretical and practical training session in warrantage technique and breeding of small ruminants in benefit of women based on the artisanal gold panning site of Bouda, and Song-Naba in the commune of Yako.As part of the implementation of the activities of the 'community development component of the local content, economic integration and community development sub-component' of the Support Project for Strengthening Land and Mines Management (PARGFM), the Association of Women in the Mining Sector of Burkina (AFEMIB) strengthened the capacities of at least 50 women and young people from Song-Naba and the artisanal mining site of Bouda on income-generating activities.The activity generally aimed to strengthen the capacities of beneficiaries in the practice of generating activities in mining, market gardening, breeding of small ruminants, poultry farming, rain-fed production, warrantage and the producti on of shea butter.In the implementation of these activities, two associations in the commune of Yako, namely the Relwendé de Bouda and Renaissance de Song-Naba associations, are beneficiaries.In Bouda, a village home to a gold site, AFEMIB trained the women of the Relwendé Association in warrantage techniques.This is a technique which consists of storing and marketing cereals with a view to making them financially self-sufficient.The Renaissance Association of Song-Naba is the other group benefiting from training on small ruminant breeding techniques. This activity aims to create income-generating activities for these beneficiaries through their financial automation.Training on the breeding technique for small ruminants was provided by the head of the livestock technical support unit (UATE) of the provincial directorate in charge of animal resources in Passoré, N'go Sanou.According to his explanations, the activity devoted to breeding consisted of developing skills in breeding small ruminants, nam ely the selection of breeds, feeding, watering, health care, production and marketing of animals and derivative products.For these beneficiaries who are new to breeding, the trainer has recommendations for local breeds made up of sheep and goats.He also advised them to start with a reduced number of three or four animals including one male and two females.Other advice focused on feeding and watering the animals was provided to these women for good success in their breeding project.'As for health protocols, it is necessary to clean their enclosure each time, avoid keeping the animals in long-term humidity and carry out regular vaccination to prevent them from animal diseases,' recommended the UATE.The training was well appreciated by the beneficiaries, like the head of the Renaissance association, Sophie Kafando who admitted that the training was of great importance to her peers and above all that it allowed them to go out of our ignorance.She also said she understood how to care for an animal.'W e are leaving well equipped and ready to better improve ourselves. We would like to thank AFEMIB and its partners for thinking of us for the training,' rejoiced Ms. Kafando.The representative of the Association of Women in the Mining Sector of Burkina, Djamila Kiello, indicated that a total of 500 women from 10 localities housing artisanal gold mining sites in the country, including those of Bouda, in the commune of Yako, are the potential beneficiaries of these two income-generating activities organized by AFEMIB with the support of the Support for Strengthening Land and Mines Management (PARGFM) project.Ms. Kiéllo said she was satisfied with the mobilization and effective participation of women and expressed her thanks to the 'What You Need' firm for its technical support.'At the end of this training, we expect these beneficiaries to be able to form a cooperative so that we can provide them with work materials and be able to be financially independent,' she hoped.Source: Burkina Information Agency