Burundi

Burundi is bounded on the north by Rwanda, on the east and south by Tanzania, and on the west by Lake Tanganyika and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It covers an area of 27,834 km2 of which a total of  8,740 km2 is represented by forest land (FAOSTAT, 2005). The climate is of the high tropical type with a large number of microclimates and considerable variation from one year to the next. The Great Rift Valley region has an average temp. of 23 °C and an average annual rainfall of 760 mm. The mountainous western region has an average temp. of 17 °C and an average annual rainfall of about 1,500 mm. On the plateaux, temp. average 20 °C and about 1,200 mm of rain falls. The rainy season in Burundi generally lasts from February to May.

Key achievements

In Burundi the strengthening of technical capacities of the farmer field schools in collaboration with service providers (Geographical Institute of Burundi (IGEBU), Institute of Agricultural Sciences of Burundi (ISABU) and the Provincial Directorates of Agriculture and Livestock (DPAE) were focused on following issues: Integrated management of fish ponds (fish farming); Comparative testing of varieties of vegetable seeds; Comparative tests of farm manure and composts; Hydrological Monitoring; tests on the fertility of the soil; conservation agriculture. 

Districts

The Kagera basin covers all or part of 11 “Provinces” in Burundi (Bururi, Mwaro, Rutana, Gitega, Muramvya, Karuzi, Kayanza, Ngozi, Muyinga, Cankuzo Kirundo) each of which is subdivided in communes and smaller zones.

Prioritiy areas selected for TAMP actions are the four highland and medium altitude provinces of Muramvya, Mwaro, (NW of Kagera basin) Gitega and Karuzi (centre) because of their important tributaries, the Mubarazi, Mushwabure, Waga, Ruvyironza and Ruvubu rivers; and one lowland province, Kirundo, which shares with Rwanda the cross-border Cohoha, Rweru and Gacamirinda lakes.

SLM specific activities:

  • Rehabilitation of Gitongo, Higiro, Bucana, Tye, Gihehe  et Mirama  catchments in Gitega province
  • Rehabilitation of Sumo, Nyakibari and  Sumo  microcatchments in Mwaro province
  • Rehabilitation of  Kibogoye and Gikonge in Muramvya province,
  • Rehabilitation of Rusi and Nyamugari in Karusi province and Rwibikara, Gatete in Kirundo province,
  • Production of forest, agro-forestry and fruit seedlings, beekeeping, fish farming
  • Construction of an irrigation micro-dam

Some project results in pictures

Irrigation micro-dam under construction
Techniques of feed crop management
Watershed management
Enhancement of food security and nutrition