Turkish aid group supports agriculture in Burkina Faso

By Alaattin Dogru

DAKAR (AA) - Turkish students working with the country's state-run aid agency distributed seeds and equipment on Monday to farmers in the west African country of Burkina Faso.

With the support of the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), students provided tomato, cabbage, onion and sesame seeds along with fertilizers and equipment.

The volunteers distributed the seeds and equipment in villages in east and central Burkina Faso, where they were welcomed with local music and dances.

In Burkina Faso, where 80% of the population lives on farming and animal husbandry, agriculture provides around 40% of the country's income.

Volunteers came within the "2019 Experience Sharing Program", in which university students in Turkey and young people living in different parts of Africa, Asia, the Balkans and the Middle East -- where TIKA is supporting development projects -- are given the opportunity to meet and interact.

The program was first organized in 2017 by TIKA in cooperation with Turkish Airlines, Anadolu Agency, and state broadcaster Turkish Radio and Television (TRT).

In the third year of the program, 500 students from different universities in Turkey are doing field visits to 35 countries in order to implement activities and training programs.

*Writing by Dilara Hamit