CIBITOKE, December 19th (ABP) – Leaders of rice cooperatives in the communes of Cibitoke, Bukinanyana, and Mugina, located in Bujumbura province and organized under the collective “Ijwi ry’Umuceri,” are concerned that they are operating at a loss due to a months-long shortage of Urea mineral fertilizers.
Following a formal letter sent to the Minister of Agriculture requesting advocacy on their behalf with FOMI (Organo-Mineral Fertilizer Factory), these leaders met on December 16 in Cibitoke to define a common strategy to address the crisis.
According to the collective’s president, Augustin Havyarimana, the situation is critical. Out of an order of 7,300 bags of Urea for the 2025 C growing season, only one-third has been distributed to the members of the 13 cooperatives.
While the collective aims to produce competitive regional rice under the “Akeza k’Imbo” label, Mr. Havyarimana emphasized that it is becoming difficult to meet quantity and quality targets due to these logistical failures. He urged FOMI to hear their grievances and distribute at least the remaining quantity of Urea for the current “C” season. Meeting participants also noted that while rice crops require four applications of Urea, the limited supply available only allowed for two superficial applications.
When contacted by the ABP (Burundi Press Agency), the Provincial Director of the BPEAE (Provincial Office of Environment, Agriculture, and Livestock), Dieudonné Nahimana, acknowledged the gravity of the situation. While the supervising ministry has been informed, he noted that this shortage is not limited to their area but is affecting provinces across the entire country.