Bubanza : farmers’ anger and concerns over a persistent urea shortage

SOS Médias Burundi

Bubanza, May 18, 2026 — Farmers in the district of Bubanza, in Bujumbura province, western Burundi, are denouncing a persistent shortage of urea-type chemical fertilizers, despite having already paid for them during the farming seasons A and B.

According to several farmers interviewed by SOS Médias Burundi, only Imbura-type fertilizers (DAP) were distributed for the farming season A. So far, no bags of urea have been delivered in this district, despite the significant needs expressed by the farmers.

The farmers explain that the period designated for fertilizing the fields has already passed, seriously jeopardizing this year’s harvests. Some crops, particularly rice, absolutely require the use of urea to guarantee a satisfactory harvest.

“Without fertilizer, there’s almost no hope of a harvest,” laments a farmer in Bubanza.

Since fertilizer distributors are spread across the district, residents say that the most populated areas, where demand is highest, are also the hardest hit by this shortage. According to them, the deficiency is particularly acute for urea.

Faced with this situation, many farmers say they are overcome with despair and fear significant agricultural losses this farming season.

The scarcity of urea is also fueling speculation on the black market. According to residents of Bubanza, a 50-kilogram bag of urea is currently selling for around 250,000 Burundian francs, while its usual price is normally no more than 66,000 Burundian francs. Some even believe the price could climb to 350,000 Burundian francs if no deliveries are made for the farming seasons A and B.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture is urging the population to turn to organic fertilizers. In a press release published on May 13, 2026, Minister Calinie Mbarushimana encouraged citizens to dig compost heaps to produce their own natural fertilizers.

According to this press release, a nationwide campaign to establish compost heaps is planned from May 17 to 31 across the country.

The farming season C, meanwhile, is expected to begin next month.

This announcement is perceived by some observers as an admission of the authorities’ inability to provide sufficient organo-mineral fertilizers to the population. Others denounce a mandatory measure imposed on citizens without an immediate response to the current shortage.

The situation in Bubanza is not an isolated case. In several other regions of Burundi, farmers are also reporting delivery delays, reduced quantities, and the need to wait for new shipments without a clear schedule.