Burundi farmers block road over fertiliser shortage

Residents of Kabanga, Rutana province, blocked the Rutana-Gihofi road on October 30, 2026, using tree trunks to protest what they called unfair fertiliser distribution. The protest, organised by farmers who had not yet received chemical fertilisers from FOMI, an agricultural input company, temporarily halted traffic. Police and army units intervened to clear the road, which was only reopened after a fertiliser truck arrived.

The demonstration followed reports that neighbouring hills and surrounding areas had already received their fertiliser allocations. Farmers in Kabanga expressed anger that their hill had not been served. The situation escalated when local officials, including an agricultural monitor and a zone chief, were briefly held by angry residents before police intervention. Similar protests occurred on October 26 in Matongo, Butanyerera province, where residents blocked a road due to insufficient fertiliser supplies.

These repeated protests highlight tensions surrounding fertiliser distribution and farmers' difficulties accessing expected quantities. While farmers voice discontent, Burundi's authorities, speaking on national radio, have claimed widespread citizen satisfaction with the fertiliser distribution process. This official narrative contrasts with the protests recorded in Burunga and Butanyerera.

Why it mattersFarmers in Burundi are protesting the unequal distribution of essential fertilisers, impacting their ability to cultivate crops.

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