National agricultural production fails to meet local needs. Food prices are soaring in the market. 43% of the population are threatened by food insecurity. The modernization of agriculture seems to be the right solution to meet the food needs of Burundians before thinking about exporting, which the authorities remind of their wishes.
The Chinese government has just delivered the first part of its rice helper promised in Burundi. This is not the first food aid that Burundi has received from “benefactors”. There were plenty of other last years.
“(…) I saw the quantity of water that there is in this country, the rich lands, the young populations. It is inadmissible that we are waiting for wheat that comes from Ukraine, corn from I don’t know where…”released Moussa Faki, chairman of the African Union commission at the end of a visit he has just made to Burundi.
More than a year ago, the Head of State, Evariste Ndayishimiye declared the year 2022 “the year of agricultural revolution “. In his speech to the nation, the Burundian number one insisted on this sector for the revival of the national economy. He assured that all the assets were there for the development of the agricultural sector.
It is clear that the wishes of the President have not been granted. The challenges facing this sector still persist. It was from this year that food prices soared. The inflation rate for food products reached the fateful mark of 41.5% in January 2023. Worse, it is the main crops that are the most affected. 128.9% for dry beans, 51.9% for corn, 45.3% for cassava flour and 43.1% for rice, according to the Central Bank.
How is the agricultural sector doing?
The Head of State likes to repeat it, Burundi has a potential to develop its agriculture. Arable land, abundance of water, abundant rainfall (more than 8 months of rain per year), young population, etc.
Despite all these assets, this sector faces several constraints. Burundian agriculture is subsistence agriculture. Farms are scattered. The hoe is the main tool used. It is characterized by poor farmers who consume a large part of their production, recognizes Faustin Ndikumana, national director of Parcem. ” Less than 15% of production goes to market. Self-consumed production is no longer enough. The day after the harvest, the small producers go to the market because their production could not satisfy “, he explains.
In addition, the lack of fertilizers handicaps Burundian agriculture. Soil fertility reduction, climate change as well. The lack of research following the inadequacy of subsidies for the Higher Agronomic Institute of Burundi is bringing the sector to its knees.
Faustin Ndikumana also notes a gradual reduction in the range of cultivated products, in particular tubers (colocase, sweet potato) which made up the staple diet in past years.
The modernization of agriculture as a remedy
In any case, the use of the hoe cannot be counted on to make agriculture the engine of the country’s economic development. We will have to think about modernization as provided for in the National Development Plan (2018-2027). This is also one of the recommendations that Salvator Kaboneka, professor at the Faculty of Agronomy and Bio-Engineering (FABI) of the University of Burundi made during the national forum on development which took place in November 2021 .
This expert proposes mechanization. Some preliminary actions will have to be done. Given that the Burundian population lives scattered on the hills, one must consider villagization. This alternative will free up arable land and facilitate mechanization. It also insists on land consolidation, pooling or community management of land at the family level, etc.
Water management is also essential according to Prof. Kaboneka. Rivers and irrigable plains are numerous in Burundi. We must bet on irrigation. The expert suggests the establishment of irrigation-drainage networks in different regions including Imbo, Bugesera, Moso.
A system for the collection, storage and recovery of rainwater is also needed to deal with climate change.
In addition to making available fertilizers, seeds in sufficient quantity and quality, Faustin Ndikumana insists on agricultural research and statistics. This makes it possible to know production and consumption needs. Research will help develop crops and deal with plant diseases.
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