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CATALIST Burundi

One example of the catalyzing role of the project was demonstrated through the training on proper fertilizer use in agricultural intensification, which was co-financed by IFAD Burundi (PTRPC project). In December 2008, 40 agronomists from three Burundi provinces (Bujumbura Rural, Ruyigi and Bururi) were trained, with eight of the original 40 receiving additional training. These trainees will in turn train 95 zone assistants and 582 extension workers. The role of the extension workers will be for each to train and work closely with 10 farmers/producers in the implementation and adoption of ISFM technologies. In total, the extension workers are expected to train 5,820 farmers/producers during the next cropping season. To support this effort, CATALIST will provide technical advice and technical booklets for the extension workers and extension booklets (in Kirundi) for the targeted farmers/producers.

The “CATALIST” Effect in Burundi

The visit of the Burundi Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry and several others to Rwanda was organized and funded by the CATALIST project. The visit had two main objectives: (1) to discuss the Government of Rwanda’s (GOR’s) agro-input procurement and distribution system for farmers and (2) to observe agricultural practices including the use of a radical terrace system to control erosion on cultivated hillsides. The delegation included: Ferdinand Nderagakura, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry; Vianney Manirakiza, Director, Seeds and Plants; Lénus Manirakiza, Principal Economic Advisor at the Second Vice Presidency of the Republic of Burundi; Diomède Ndayirukiye, MINAGRI Advisor; and Fidèle Karangura, private dealer of chemical fertilizers.

According to Burundian Agriculture Minister Nderagakura, the goal of the visit was to analyze the common bottlenecks to agriculture and animal husbandry development in the two countries. The Minister highlighted the need for the two countries to consult together to formulate common policies to solve issues (e.g., fraud, migration, etc.) that could affect food security in each country. The Burundian delegation visited various Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) programs in Rwanda, mainly RADA, RARDA, AFSR, RODA, OCIR, OTIR, ISAR and the CATALIST field tests in Musanze. The visitors were introduced to the Crop Intensification Project (CIP) program, the auction and voucher program, and the agro-input distribution system through vouchers being implemented by MINAGRI with support from CATALIST.

Following the visit, Minister Nderagakura approached the World Bank seeking financial support to introduce the auction and voucher system in Burundi. An agreement in principle between the Ministries of Agriculture in Rwanda and Burundi was expressed and the Burundian Ministry officially committed to seeking support for implementation based on the positive experiences observed in Rwanda. The two ministers agreed to establish and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to frame the types of collaboration to pursue and to define the timing (calendar of activities).

Activities will be focused in the following areas:

  • Collaborative procurement of agro-inputs and promotion of farmer accessibility to agro-inputs. Ideas discussed included: negotiating joint agro-input procurement, grouping orders and, more importantly, collaboration in implementing the auction and voucher system. Such an approach could have a positive influence on supplier prices. It would also allow the two countries to address/resolve some shared problems, including fraud associated with adulteration of agro-inputs and the smuggling of agro-inputs across national borders.
  • Rwandan training of Burundian technicians in the theories and practices of radical terraces to slow or halt erosion.
  • Burundian support of Rwanda’s need to purchase the best varieties of fruit seeds. The CATALIST-SEW program was also solicited for support in this activity.
  • ISAR collaboration with ISABU in the acquisition of quality varieties of coffee, improved management of coffee plantations and training in establishing and operating coffee-washing stations.
  • Collaborative efforts to restock cattle and to examine the possibilities of joint ordering of animals, which is currently done in Kenya and Uganda.
  • Rwandan support for Burundi to have access to Rwanda’s ongoing livestock artificial insemination efforts.
  • Exchange of information and experiences related to livestock health, recognizing that harmonization of intervention strategies is necessary to successfully fight domestic animal illnesses.

The visit also led to an invitation by the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture to IFDC to meet and discuss areas of collaboration with the GOR’s MINAGRI in the near future.