Burundi, September 2024

Burundi’s Rice Revolution: Strategic Workshop Paves the Way for National Development

A pivotal workshop convened in Bujumbura, Burundi, organized by the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock (MINEAGRIE) alongside the NRDS task force, with technical support from the Coalition for African Rice Development (CARD) Secretariat on 23 – 27 September 2024. This workshop aimed to refine and validate Burundi’s National Rice Development Strategy (NRDS) for 2025-2033 and to develop concept notes for strategic projects designed to enhance rice production in the country.

Workshop Objectives and Key Achievements

The primary aim of the workshop was to finalize the NRDS and outline key strategic projects that align with the document’s priorities. Despite its potential, Burundi’s rice sector remains underdeveloped, with a significant reliance on imports. The NRDS aspires to ensure food self-sufficiency and bolster local production.

Key objectives of the workshop included:

• Development of Concept Notes: Participants collaborated to create concept notes for priority projects critical for attracting funding from development partners.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: An initial set of indicators was established to track progress and guarantee effective implementation of the NRDS.
• Technical Validation of the NRDS: The document underwent a final technical review, incorporating suggestions for refinement. The next step will be political approval.

Key Outcomes

1. Gap Analysis in Burundi’s Rice Sector
   A comprehensive analysis of existing gaps in Burundi’s rice production was conducted using the Sub-sector Intervention Element Matrix (SIEM). This matrix facilitated a systematic evaluation of current interventions across the rice value chain, including seed production, irrigation, mechanization, and market access. The task force identified key areas for improvement, such as seed quality enhancement, infrastructure development, mechanization efficiency, and market integration for locally produced rice.
2. Development of Three Concept Notes
   The workshop resulted in the drafting of three key concept notes aligned with the strategic priorities of the NRDS. These notes are essential for securing funding from international partners and cover the following areas:
   • Rice production intensification
   • Irrigation and mechanization
   • Quality improvement and market access

Task force members were organized into groups, each developing one concept note, which was then peer-reviewed and refined. While the final versions are still under development, these documents provide a strategic roadmap for implementing the NRDS.

1. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework
   A robust monitoring and evaluation system was introduced to track progress toward the NRDS goals. This framework includes thirteen baseline indicators focused on simplicity, low cost, and flexibility, measuring crucial factors such as rice production, yield, irrigation coverage, and market performance. The task force acknowledged the need for improved data collection mechanisms to effectively monitor progress.
2. NRDS Technical Validation
   The NRDS document was finalized during technical discussions with over 16 participants, including the NRDS Focal Point, Mr. Médard, and technical representatives from the CARD Secretariat. These discussions centered on gathering final comments to strengthen the document before submission for political validation. This significant step forward for Burundi’s rice strategy indicates a collective commitment to enhancing the sector.
3. Courtesy call to the Permanent Secretary of the MINEAGRIE and some development partners.

This was also an opportunity to visit some development partners working in the rice sector, namely ENABEL, IRRI, and the AfDB. The visit by these partners demonstrates the stakeholders’ commitment to the implementation of the SNDR through collaboration and funding for Concept Notes. We also paid a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary of the MINEAGRIE, who provides his full support for the implementation of the NRDS.

Conclusion and Way Forward

The workshop in Bujumbura marked a crucial advancement in the development of Burundi’s rice sector. With the NRDS nearing completion and the formulation of three strategic project concepts, Burundi is poised to transform its rice industry and reduce dependency on imports. The technical validation of the NRDS and the introduction of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework lay the groundwork for actionable steps in the upcoming months.

Next steps include integrating final comments into the NRDS, securing political validation, and finalizing the concept notes for submission to development partners. This collaborative effort demonstrates a shared commitment among national stakeholders and international partners to elevate Burundi’s rice production capabilities and ensure long-term food security for the nation.

The successful implementation of these initiatives will not only enhance Burundi’s rice production but also contribute to broader agricultural development goals, creating new opportunities for rural communities and improving the country’s self-sufficiency in food production.