Kayanza: Farmers complain about lack of fertilizers

For four months, the inhabitants of Kayanza (northern Burundi) have not been supplied with fertilizers, such as Urea. However, they claim to have paid the required advances and do not understand why they have not been supplied until now. The residents who spoke to SOS Médias Burundi predict a poor harvest.

INFO SOS Médias Burundi

The fertilizers in question are used during the A growing season which normally begins in September in Burundi.

“Urea reduces the soil acidity. I have been using it for several years. My harvests are going to be poor this season”, laments a farmer who asks the ministry in charge of agriculture to “restore our rights”.

Several residents indicate the fields are starting to “turn yellow”. The provincial directorate of agriculture and livestock confirms the concerns of the farmers.

“In our entire province, only 18% of farmers have been served,” she says.

Administrative and agricultural officials have no solution to propose. They only say “to have submitted the issue to the hierarchy”.

The ministry in charge of agriculture recently admitted to having distributed to farmers so far, only 30% of fertilizers, type-Urea throughout the national territory.

Local observers are asking the government to create a favorable business environment to encourage companies to “invest in the agricultural sector” in order to avoid the problems of lack of fertilizers that have affected Budundi for years.

A few months ago, Prime Minister Gervais Ndirakobuca told parliament that “the lack of foreign currency is the source of the fertilizer shortage”.

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A man takes out bags of chemical fertilizers from a warehouse in Bubanza in western Burundi (SOS Media Burundi)