Kenedougou: The High Court of Orodara has sentenced two representatives from the Association of Agricultural Input Retailers and Wholesalers (Agrodia) for embezzling 268 bags of state-subsidized fertilizer, equivalent to 13,400 tons.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the case traces back to July 2025, when irregularities surfaced in the distribution of agricultural inputs in Djigouera. An audit, along with alerts from agricultural technicians, revealed that several bags of fertilizer intended for local producers were fraudulently sold. The defendants, OB and BH, managed the state input stores in Djigouera and were arrested for selling outside the official channel. They admitted to redirecting the fertilizer to fruit growers in Orodara at market prices.
Agricultural technician ZA’s testimony played a crucial role in the case. She reported that the defendants sought electronic validation codes for vouchers to sell the diverted fertilizer, which she refused. They then approached BS, another Agrodia member, offering 2 million CFA francs to regularize their operations on the digital distribution platform.
The public prosecutor determined that the breach of trust was evident, despite the fertilizer being returned under pressure from Agrodia members before the hearing. The prosecution sought an 18-month suspended sentence and a 500,000 CFA francs fine for each defendant, along with judicial constraints.
The court, however, reduced the sentences. BH, identified as the main perpetrator, received a 12-month suspended sentence and a 500,000 CFA francs fine. OB was fined 500,000 CFA francs, with 300,000 CFA francs firm and 200,000 CFA francs suspended. Both sentences include a two-month judicial restraint. The judge reminded the convicted men of their right to appeal within 10 days.