Makamba: lack of selected seeds, concern among farmers

As growing season A has begun, farmers in Makamba province in southern Burundi say they have not had sufficient quantities of selected maize seeds. On September 29, farmers gathered at the stockpile of the provincial agricultural office to demand corn seeds, but according to sources on site, a very small quantity was available. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Residents say even the prices of these seeds have increased significantly.

“On the morning of this Monday, a kg of corn seeds costs 20,000 Burundian francs, or 40,000 francs per 2 kg packet instead of 20,000 Burundian francs previously. A kg of selected Bazoka type corn seeds costs 15,000 francs or 30,000 francs per 2 kg package,” farmers complain.

Sources within the farmers contacted say that a large quantity was distributed to traders.

They say that most will not be able to sow this 2024 growing season due to the lack of selected corn seeds.

Note that the marketing of selected corn seeds has been attributed to independent traders, which creates speculation.