During the 96th Zambian Agriculture and Trade Fair, held in Lusaka from 31 July to 5 August 2024, The Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye appealed for new strategies to improve agricultural production in order to mitigate the impact of climate change on food security on the African Continent. According to him, Agriculture is the backbone of Burundi’s economy as it contributes 40% to the country’s GDP. According to the International Monetary Fund, the country’s economy is also expected to expand by 4.3% in 2024 buoyed by agriculture.
Climate change has adversely affected food security on the African continent. Around 70% of small-scale farmers in Burundi are facing food insecurity due to the effects of climate change, soil acidity, inefficient farming techniques and lack of access to quality agricultural inputs. In a speech at the 96th Zambian Agriculture and Trade Fair, held in Lusaka from July 31 to August 5 2024, President Évariste Ndayishimiye called for new strategies to improve agricultural production in order to mitigate the impact of climate change on food availability.
“It brings hope that the various efforts being done serve to make the sector a backbone of our economy. In my country the government has decided to put the agricultural sector at the top of priorities to boost economic growth”.
Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic – Burundi
Agriculture contributes 40% to Burundi’s GDP and provides 95% of the country’s food supply. However, nearly 1.2 million people in Burundi are expected to face high levels of acute food insecurity between June and September 2024, according to official reports. While focusing on agriculture as a solution to food security, the Burundian President applauded Zambia for its investment in the seed sector, and pointed out that Burundi is already using some of the seeds produced in Zambia to boost its agricultural production.
“Hybrid maize seeds called PAN 53 from Zambia contributed to the huge production we experienced last season in Burundi”.
Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic – Burundi
Despite the challenges of food insecurity facing this East African country, Burundi donated 5,000 metric tonnes of maize, beans and rice to Zambia on 2 August 2024, in a gesture of solidarity and African brotherhood, according to the government.The country’s economy is also expected to grow by 4.3% in 2024, underpinned by agriculture, according to the IMF.
