BUJUMBURA, March 5th (ABP) – On 27 February 2025, ministers Prosper Dodiko and Marie Chantal Nijimbere, responsible for agriculture and trade respectively, replied to oral questions with debate put to them by MPs on the report of the visit by the standing committee responsible for agriculture, to enquire about the state of maize and rice stocks collected in 2024, their marketing by the National Food Security Stock Management Agency (ANAGESSA), and preparations for the maize collection campaign produced during the 2024C and 2025A cropping seasons.
According to the report presented by the chairperson of the committee, the Honourable Jocky Chantal Nkurunziza, 71,363,935 kg of maize was collected, purchased at 121,318,689,500 BIF. Of that quantity, only 29,543,814 kg were sold. The remaining quantity is estimated at 58.68%, including rotten maize.
The MPs wanted to know what the two ministers were planning to do to ensure that those maize grains were sold to make way for the new harvest. To that question, the Minister for Trade said that that maize must be sold to free up stocks.
As for the quantity that has already rotted, she indicated that it would be transformed into animal feed.
Asked how to fill the gap in the public treasury caused by the spoilt quantity, Minister Nijimbere said that the government had bought the maize for the good of the farmer, not for its own benefit.
In response to the same question, Minister Dodiko hoped that the quantity of spoilt maize was not large, but was nevertheless pleased that the government’s objective of increasing production had been achieved.
The MPs also wanted to know why Burundians most often consume imported maize flour when production is good in Burundi. The Minister for Agriculture pointed out that countries in the sub-region have made significant progress in processing that commodity, from where they import large quantities of flour at an affordable price.
The other question put to Minister Dodiko related to the shortage of fertilisers, which he explained was due to the lack of foreign currency, as the raw materials used in the manufacture of those fertilisers come from abroad. He took the opportunity to point out that OTESHA fertiliser from Tanzania has the same benefits as the fertiliser manufactured by the FOMI plant.
Minister Dodiko was also asked whether the policy of pooling land would not be a loss for some farmers. He said that that policy should be promoted, as it has made a considerable contribution to increasing maize production.
Minister Dodiko reassured the people’s representatives that the problems linked to the conservation of the harvest would soon be resolved, as he pointed out that with the new administrative division of Burundi into five provinces, each province would have its own strategic warehouse and processing plant.
The Minister for Trade announced that studies were underway to see whether maize could be transformed into other products that could be consumed by the population.
She also revealed that those studies have already shown that BRARUDI will be able to use maize to make its drinks.
Among the recommendations made by the deputies, the two ministers were asked to transfer, as soon as possible, the production stored in premises that do not meet the required standards but are considered to be storage sites, to process the maize grains into flour to ensure optimum preservation and to seek commercial outlets for maize production.
Before closing the session, the Speaker of the National Assembly called for the structural reorganisation of ANAGESSA, recommending that it be given management autonomy and the necessary financial resources in due course.
The visit took place in the provinces of Bubanza, Cibitoke, Kayanza, Ngozi, Muyinga, Kirundo, Cankuzo, Ruyigi, Muramvya, Makamba, Rutana, Bururi, Karusi, Gitega and Mwaro.