Report Summary: Upper Volta, hindered by lack of rainfall and by its landlocked position in West Africa, nevertheless is showing some signs of economic progress. Livestock production. Upper Volta's chief economic activity needs modernizing. Cotton production has risen sharply in recent years, but peanut production has remained about the same. Prospects for commercial production of sugar from sugarcane appear bright. Upper Volta’s foreign trade is small and has shown an adverse balance each year since the country became independent from France in 1960. Ivory Coast, Ghana, and France are Upper Volta's chief markets. France and Ivory Coast are the chief suppliers. Trade with the United States is small. Upper Volta is relatively self-sufficient in food. This is a major accomplishment. However, from time to time, Upper Volta suffers from droughts which cause local or widespread famine conditions.