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Kou Valley Rice Mills

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Industrial site
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Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)

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The rice mills in the Kou Valley, located about 25 kilometers from Bobo-Dioulasso, are the hub of one of Burkina Faso's most significant irrigation projects. The valley was developed in the 1970s with international support to boost national rice production and decrease reliance on imports. Spanning over 1,200 hectares of irrigated land, the area supports intensive rice cultivation made possible by the year-round flow of the Kou River. The rice mills handle the processing of the harvest, including dehusking, polishing, and packaging the paddy rice. This large-scale agricultural initiative is not only vital for national food security but also provides a stable livelihood for thousands of smallholder farmers. Recently, the mills have undergone modernization to improve the quality of local rice and make it more competitive against imported varieties. The Kou Valley today stands as a flagship model for successful water management and industrial processing in West Africa.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C252831323129262526272624
Rain mm131045881312082651806040

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The rice mills in the fertile Kou Valley near Bobo-Dioulasso process much of the locally grown wet rice. They play a key role in Burkina Faso's rice value chain, supplying urban markets with processed rice.
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Visiting
The mills are functional industrial facilities and generally not open to the public. They can be seen from the adjacent country road, and you can observe the loading and unloading of rice sacks.
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Where to view it
A small hill southwest of the mills gives an overview of the entire valley with the rice fields and mill buildings. The bridge over the Kou River also features a good view of the facilities.
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Local products
On local markets nearby you can buy freshly hulled and parboiled rice from the valley. Also available are grains like maize and millet, as well as garden vegetables from irrigated farming.
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Active season
The main processing period is after the rice harvest from November to January, when the mills run at full capacity. During this dry season, the processing of dried rice is also at its most active.
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Nearby
A visit to the rice mills can be combined with a tour of the scenic Kou Valley and the nearby Banfora Waterfall. Bobo-Dioulasso with its old town and mosques is also easily reachable.

Geography

Coordinates
11.38330, -4.40000

Facts

  • The Kou Valley project was initiated in the 1970s.
  • Over 1,200 hectares of land are irrigated for rice cultivation.
  • The Kou River provides a year-round water supply for the fields.
  • The rice mills process thousands of tons of rice annually.
  • It is one of the largest rice-growing areas in Burkina Faso.
  • The project supports the livelihoods of over 1,000 farming families.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

BamaBama4 km · SExplore →
Diossor MountainsDiossor Mountains14 km · SWExplore →
Kourou ForestKourou Forest20 km · WExplore →
Bobo-Dioulasso Old StationBobo-Dioulasso Old Station25 km · NWExplore →
CIMASSO Bobo-DioulassoCIMASSO Bobo-Dioulasso26 km · WExplore →
Bobo-Dioulasso HillsBobo-Dioulasso Hills26 km · NWExplore →
Bobointer Dry PortBobointer Dry Port27 km · NWExplore →
Bobo-Dioulasso Amusement ParkBobo-Dioulasso Amusement Park28 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Kou Valley Rice Mills (1)

BAMA POULET RIZ SOUMBALA📍 landmark

A popular local culinary spot serving traditional chicken, rice, and soumbala near the Kou Valley rice mills.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is done in the Kou Valley?
It is a large irrigation area for rice cultivation.
Are there rice mills there?
Yes, several facilities process the harvested rice right on-site.
Can you visit the fields?
You can drive past the fields and see the farmers at work.
When is the harvest season?
There are often two harvests per year thanks to irrigation.
How far is it from Bobo-Dioulasso?
About 25 km northwest of the city.
Kou Valley Rice Mills: where is it located?
Kou Valley Rice Mills is located in Burkina Faso.
Kou Valley Rice Mills: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.
Kou Valley Rice Mills: why is it worth visiting?
The rice mills in the Kou Valley, located about 25 kilometers from Bobo-Dioulasso, are the hub of one of Burkina Faso's most significant irrigation projects.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Bama — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
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A town known for its reservoirs and agricultural importance.
Kayan — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
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A small village in western Burkina Faso, typical of the region's rural structures.
Orodara — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
Orodara
Known as the orchard center of Burkina Faso, with numerous mango and citrus plantations.
Bérégadougou — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
Bérégadougou
A picturesque town in the Comoé province near numerous waterfalls.

Nature

Hippo Lake — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
Hippo Lake
Mare aux Hippopotames is a wetland area near Bobo-Dioulasso.
Black Volta — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
Black Volta
A significant river in West Africa flowing through Burkina Faso.

More places

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CIMASSO Bobo-Dioulasso — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
CIMASSO Bobo-Dioulasso
CIMASSO Bobo-Dioulasso is a cement plant serving western Burkina Faso.
Bobointer Dry Port — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
Bobointer Dry Port
Bobo Inter Dry Port is an inland logistics hub in Bobo-Dioulasso.
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FILSAH Textile Mill
FILSAH Textile Mill is a cotton processing site in Koudougou.
SONABHY Péni Depot — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
SONABHY Péni Depot
SONABHY Peni Depot is a fuel storage site near Peni in western Burkina Faso.
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Diossor Mountains
A mountainous region in western Burkina Faso.
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Kourou Forest
Foret Kourou is a forested area in Burkina Faso.
Bobo-Dioulasso Old Station — Kou Valley Rice Mills (Burkina Faso)
Bobo-Dioulasso Old Station
A historical building in Sudano-colonial style.