Commune of Reo, Burkina Faso
Water Supply and Rural
Development
The Burkina Faso poor semi-arid
soil supports few crops, produces low yields and loses its
fertility rapidly. Extreme variations in rainfall have led to
periods of severe droughts, with large loss in harvests and
livestock.
The Trafigura Foundation funded the
construction of a 64,000 m3-capacity dam to collect and
retain the water during the rainy season, enabling the underground
water-table to store them throughout the year for agricultural
purposes. Its total length is 476.5 m and 2.77m high with a water
level average of 1.70 m. Four large wells were also dug so to
allow access to those collected waters, providing a much-improved
water supply for the inhabitants of the region. Funds were also
provided for seeds, fruit trees and phytosanitary products.
Started in February 2008, the main
works were completed during the summer that same year. The
Foundation also funded a second stage in 2009 for planting trees
and creating fruit orchards downstream of the dam.
The local Dam Management
Committee priorities are now to maintain the dam and to train
and support the producers efficiently.
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