BURUNDI – For the first time in Burundi’s history, local seed companies such as Co-op Eden and Hagaruka Dufashani are producing a bio-fortified maize hybrid developed by IITA.
This pilot production is expected to pave the way for larger-scale operations in the near future, with plans to plant 32 hectares of hybrid maize seed production fields by December. The project is set to expand further in the coming years.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to establish a reliable supply of high-yielding seeds to meet the growing food demand driven by rapid population growth across Africa.
Burundi has substantial agricultural potential with nearly 90% of its population engaged in farming.
However, the country’s crop yields have historically been low, contributing to widespread undernourishment, particularly among children, and a heavy reliance on food aid.
Recognizing the urgent need to improve agricultural productivity, a coalition of organizations, including ISABU (the National Agriculture Research Institute of Burundi), Seed Systems Group (SSG), the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and seven local seed companies, has embarked on a groundbreaking project to produce hybrid maize seeds locally.
This effort is supported by USAID’s “Accelerated Innovations Delivery Initiative for the Great Lakes Region” and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
Historically, Burundi has relied on expensive imported hybrid seeds from neighboring countries, which have been insufficient to meet farmers’ needs.
The emergence of local seed production is a game-changer, offering the potential to significantly boost agricultural yields and reduce the country’s dependence on external seed sources.
To strengthen the burgeoning seed industry in Burundi, SSG recently sponsored a seed business management course from July 31st to August 2nd. The training brought together 20 leaders from Burundian and Congolese seed companies, equipping them with the skills needed to manage and grow their businesses effectively.
While hybrid maize seed production has been established in other parts of the world for decades—beginning over 100 years ago in the US and 60 years ago in Zimbabwe—Burundi’s recent entry into this field underscores the persistent inequalities in access to agricultural technologies across Africa.
The Government of Burundi has also strongly supported public-private partnerships in the seed landscape and is actively involved in developing new seed varieties and producing early-generation seeds.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE.
