Burundi, December 2024

Burundi Validates its National Rice Development Strategy 2025–2032

The Burundian rice sector has reached a major milestone with the technical validation of the National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) 2025–2032 during a workshop held on December 3, 2024, in Bujumbura, funded by IRRI and JICA. This workshop follows a working week in September with technical support of the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) Secretariat. This revision aims to update the objectives set in 2014 to address current challenges and further structure the rice value chain.

Background

Despite efforts since 2014 to reduce imports and ensure food security, the initial goals were not achieved by 2020. The Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock (MINEAGRIE) introduced strategic innovations in 2020 to boost rice production. These innovations form the core of the NRDS 2025–2032, which seeks to establish a more structured and efficient value chain.

Objectives and Outcomes

The session was chaired by the Assistant Minister of MINEAGRIE, with the participation of several Directors General from the ministry. It also brought together key stakeholders and representatives from organizations such as IRRI, ENABEL, and JICA.

The primary objective of the workshop was to technically validate the NRDS document. Participants from various sectors (government, producers, and partners) engaged in discussions and made several recommendations, including:

Clarifying objectives to avoid ambiguities between “implementation” and “creation” of programs.
Improving seed management by developing adapted varieties and strengthening quality control.
Centralizing sector coordination through the establishment of a national office.
Optimizing land use by diversifying crops and consolidating rice fields.
Mobilizing resources through financing mechanisms and insurance funds to support producers.

The discussions identified necessary adjustments, including data harmonization, revising production projections, and strengthening partnerships.