Kiremba : the bean harvest collapses, farmers sound the alarm

Kiremba, June 9, 2026 – Farmers in the district of Kiremba, in the province of Butanyerera in northern Burundi, are reporting a worrying assessment of the 2026 B season agricultural campaign. The bean harvest, the district’s main food crop, is considered significantly lower than in previous years.

While June is usually the harvesting and storage period, the fields are showing little productivity. Production is described as “low” and “disappointing” by the majority of farmers interviewed.

Producers attribute this drop in yield primarily to a lack of fertilizer, particularly that which was supposed to be supplied by the company FOMI (Industrial Organo-Mineral Fertilizers).

Insufficient agricultural inputs

According to several farmers interviewed in different villages of the district, the difficulties began after two consecutive seasons marked by an insufficient distribution of agricultural inputs.

This situation has severely impacted agricultural yields. Many producers, lacking alternatives such as organic or mineral fertilizers sold at high prices on the market, have seen their harvests plummet.

“Usually, in my field, I harvest about 300 kilograms of beans each season. This year, I only got 150 kilograms. The difference is enormous and will have a direct impact on my family’s income,” testifies Nikwigize, a farmer in Kiremba.

A price rise in the markets

In the Musasa area, farmers share the same observation. The drop in production is already beginning to affect market prices.

“Production has decreased significantly this year. Normally, during harvest time, prices drop due to the abundance of produce. But today, this is no longer the case. A kilogram of beans currently sells for 2,500 Burundian francs, whereas at harvest time, even highly prized varieties like Kinure cost around 1,800 francs. This increase is a direct consequence of the low production observed in several villages,” explains Ntakarutimana.

Concerns about food security

Faced with this situation, farmers fear a deterioration in their living conditions as well as a continued rise in food prices. They believe that access to fertilizers remains a key factor in improving agricultural productivity and guaranteeing food security in the district.

Appeal to authorities and partners

Producers are appealing to the government and partners involved in the agricultural sector to ensure that fertilizers are available in time for the start of the next farming seasons.

According to them, better planning of the distribution of agricultural inputs would help avoid the yield losses recorded this year and strengthen the resilience of farming households.