Read-out of the FAO Director-General’s meeting with H.E. Audace Niyonzima, Minister for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning and H.E. Sanctus Niragira, Minister for Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, of the Republic of Burundi

Rome - Director-General QU Dongyu had a meeting with H.E. Audace Niyonzima, Minister for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, and H.E. Sanctus Niragira, Minister for Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, of the Republic of Burundi.

The Ministers thanked the Director-General and FAO for the ongoing support to the government’s food security objectives, and stressed the importance of the agriculture sector in the country by highlighting that 39.6% of gross domestic product (GDP) is linked to agriculture, and that the sector employs and engages 80% of the population. 

The Ministers outlined various national priorities and activities moving forward to enhance and increase agricultural production for both local consumption and export, while generating income and addressing the impacts of the climate crisis. These include improved food processing and reduction of post-harvest losses; increased engagement and empowerment for women and youth in agriculture; intensified support to the national agricultural science and research institute on seed systems and other matters; improved irrigation, livestock raising and agricultural mechanization; and digitalization of agriculture, among others.

The Director-General expressed his appreciation to the Ministers, in particular for their joint visit given the important linkages between the ministries of agriculture and finance at the national level.  He also put forward three areas for consideration by the Ministers when moving forward with national plans for agricultural development in Burundi: the importance of seeds and livestock, including work on seed propagation; introduction of small agriculture machinery that demonstrates value-added to both farmers and consumers; and increased focus on aquaculture, including fry breeding and hatching.

The Director-General also provided a brief overview of his rationale for establishing FAO’s Hand-in-Hand and One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiatives, which are platforms that can support the priorities outlined by the Ministers.  He also cited South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) as a key avenue through which agrifood and rural industries and value chains can be further developed and supported in Burundi.

The Ministers and the Director-General also exchanged views on how Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), FAO’s farmer field school (FFS) approach, and other tools can support agrifood systems transformation in Burundi.  Finally, the Director-General noted that Burundi could promote its investment plans during the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum, which will take place during the next World Food Forum 2023 taking place from 16 to 21 October.