Burundi prime minister praises fair fertilizer distribution to farmers

Burundian Prime Minister Nestor Ntahontuye praised the equitable distribution of fertilizers to farmers in the Gitega province.

He spoke during the conclusion of a two-day retreat focused on evaluating the decentralization of government operations. The Prime Minister noted that the government provides equal quantities to all beneficiaries to ensure no one is excluded from receiving supplies. The Prime Minister acknowledged that some farmers expressed concern when they received incomplete quantities of fertilizer.

However, he stated that after officials explained the situation, these farmers understood the reasons for the partial deliveries and resumed their agricultural work. Liboire Bigirimana, the governor of Gitega province, explained that the issue arose because the government announced quantities before enough stock was available to cover all areas. To manage this, officials distributed the available stock equally so that all farmers could plant at the same time.

Segasago Victor, the governor of Butanyerera province, called for an increase in the number of people responsible for transporting fertilizer to rural areas. He reported that his province currently uses only three distribution agents to cover the entire region, which makes it difficult to reach remote areas with poor roads. He suggested increasing the number of staff and adjusting their contracts to improve the supply chain.

The retreat also addressed hygiene and sanitation in preparation for the El Niño climate phenomenon. Ntahontuye urged officials to continue clearing gutters and drainage pipes to manage heavy rains. He noted that community work has already improved the condition of roads and announced that the government has allocated a budget to continue these cleanup efforts in public and private spaces.