Burundi farmers protest fertiliser shortages
Farmers in Butanyerera province are planting seeds without vital fertilisers due to distribution delays and insufficient quantities.
Farmers in Burundi are facing uncertainty as delays in fertiliser distribution by FOMI, coupled with insufficient quantities and issues with refunds for undelivered products, threaten crop yields. With the A cultivation season underway and rains encouraging planting, many farmers are forced to sow seeds without any fertiliser. This situation is making food prices increasingly inaccessible for households and raises fears of reduced harvests and worsening food insecurity.
In Matongo commune, Butanyerera province, farmers protested on October 26 against the distribution methods of FOMI fertilisers, specifically the division of a 25-kilo bag between two beneficiaries, which they deemed inadequate. The protest on the Bukeye-Kayanza road ended after a FOMI truck arrived, facilitating discussions to resolve the dispute. The governor of Butanyerera, Gaspard Segasago, acknowledged the protest and urged calm.
In Musasa, Kiremba commune, also in Butanyerera province, farmers are beginning their planting without the fertilisers they ordered. Some are sowing seeds without any fertiliser, unable to wait longer, despite knowing that depleted soils require mineral fertilisers and organic matter for good production. Congolese refugees in the Musasa camp are also affected, as they lack livestock for manure and must purchase compost in small amounts.
Why it mattersFarmers in Burundi are unable to access essential fertilisers, risking crop failure and food insecurity.