BUJUMBURA, October 2nd (ABP) – As part of the follow-up to the agreements signed between Burundi and Zambia, the Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Prosper Dodiko proceeded, at the port of Bujumbura, on Monday, September 30, 2024, to the reception of 400 tonnes of PAN 53 maize seeds from Zambia.
Recalling the visit that the Head of State made to the Republic of Zambia, Minister Dodiko indicated that among the conclusions resulting from the visit is an agreement to exchange seeds without intermediaries. He said that this will not only reduce the cost but also allow farmers to access seeds at a very low cost.
This seed reception activity results in the agreements signed between the two Heads of State, Dodiko said. To that end, it is a source of pride for Burundi because this PAN 53 maize seed which was at BIF 25,000 on the market, will cost BIF 4,200 thanks to the government’s efforts to promote agriculture, he said. Thus, he specified that necessary measures must be put in place to avoid speculation.
He pointed out that once well fertilized, composite seeds give good yields compared to hybrid seeds. As a result, Minister Dodiko invited farmers to use and favor natural seeds (composite seeds).
He also invited the BPEAE to ensure that these seeds are exclusively used by farmers who have fields and to supervise their distribution down to the last kg. Before closing his speech, he pointed out that these 400 tonnes of hybrid maize seeds, which he had just received, are added to other quantities: forecast of an emergency project financed by IFAD and to the seeds imported by the NGO Tubura, a quantity that Minister Dodiko considered sufficient for this growing season.