Bujumbura : the urea shortage threatens rice production

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, January 1, 2026 — In Bujumbura province, western Burundi, rice cooperatives in the districts of Bukinanyana, Cibitoke, and Mugina are facing a persistent shortage of urea-based mineral fertilizer. Producers consider this situation alarming, fearing a failure of the B farming season and a significant drop in rice production.

A shortage that has lasted for several months

According to a letter sent three weeks ago to the Minister of Agriculture and the Environment, the coalition of rice cooperatives known as Ijwi ry’Umuceri requested an urgent supply of mineral fertilizer. To date, they have received no response.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, December 23, the president of the coalition, Augustin Havyarimana, indicated that the situation on the ground is becoming increasingly worrying.

Only a third of the order received

For the current farming season B, the cooperatives had ordered 7,300 bags of urea. To date, they have received only about a third of this quantity, while the coalition aims to produce competitive rice in the Central African region under the Akeza k’Imbo label.

This shortfall seriously jeopardizes the achievement of the set objectives, both in terms of yield and quality of production, Mr. Havyarimana emphasized.

An urgent appeal to FOMI

Faced with this situation, the president of the Ijwi ry’Umuceri coalition is making an urgent appeal to FOMI (Organo-Mineral Fertilizers) to hear their grievances and make available the remaining quantity of urea fertilizer needed to save the current farming season.

A widespread fertilizer shortage

These difficulties are not limited to rice farmers in Bujumbura province. Across Burundi, many farmers are also reporting a persistent fertilizer shortage, which is jeopardizing the success of the various farming seasons.

According to Mr. Havyarimana, the provincial director of Agriculture in Bujumbura province, he acknowledges the seriousness of the situation, while specifying that the urea shortage affects all five provinces of the country, exacerbating the difficulties already faced by Burundian farmers.

The importance of urea for rice cultivation

Urea provides nitrogen, an essential nutrient for vigorous rice growth, promoting green leaves and better yields. It stimulates photosynthesis and the development of stems and panicles, improving grain filling.

However, to be effective and avoid significant nitrogen losses, urea must be applied carefully. Techniques like Deep Placement of Urea (DPU), where granules are buried in the soil near the roots, reduce losses by more than 50% compared to broadcasting and improve absorption by the rice.

It is generally applied in one or two applications after sowing or transplanting, in doses adjusted according to the soil type and the cultivation technique.