Burundi
Burundi is one of the most densely populated countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a population of 11.8 million, yet our GDP is the second lowest in the world. Seventy-three percent of our population live in poverty (World Food Programme).
Our economy is not very diversified and is mainly based on subsistence agriculture. More than 80% of people work on small farms (averaging less than one ha each), growing mainly food crops to feed their families. Food insecurity and malnutrition in our country is severe and rated “very alarming” by the Global Hunger Index.
Despite all the challenges we face, we are a young population with a strong entrepreneurial mindset that can transform and strengthen our local economies.
The challenges and opportunities for Ripple Effect Burundi
1. 65% of our population are under 25
Our population is very young. There are limited employment opportunities for young people in Burundi which can lead to low self-esteem.
Ripple Effect Burundi works to support young people in financial literacy and developing savings and loans schemes. Our young people have an entrepreneurial mindset and when equipped with skills and knowledge come up with innovative ways to diversify their incomes from their families’ farms.
2. 90% of Burundians rely upon subsistence farming
Like other countries in the Great Lakes region, Burundi is subject to severe environmental constraints (global heating, deforestation and soil degradation). Our agricultural sector suffers from low productivity, serious structural problems, and is highly vulnerable to changes in rainfall and climate.
Climate-resilient agriculture is not widely practised in Burundi and current extension services lack capacity and skills which leads to food insecurity. Ripple Effect Burundi is working to change this by introducing farmers to drought-resilient seeds and planting indigenous tree species on community land.
3. Gender inequality is a significant issue
Women do not have the same rights as men in our country. They cannot legally inherit land. In the organisation of households they are responsible for collecting firewood and water, for cooking, cleaning and childcare as well as most agricultural work. Despite this heavy workload, men continue to control household resources and decision-making.
The impact of Ripple Effect Burundi
- 76% of families are now food secure after phase one of our Gender and Nutrition Centred Agriculture project
- 50% more women are now making decisions in the home after our project in Mwaro and Bujumbura Rural
- 62% of households now carry out more than four income-generating activities
Where we are working
With a focus on gender relations, this project is engaging both male and female farmers within households, with the aim of improving family relationships and sharing work more equally. Families are growing more food, and a wider range of nutritious food, with training in diversified agricultural production, improved food storage and conservation. Young people are being engaged with encouragement to set up their own micro agribusinesses.
Growing nutritious food all year round and developing resilience to financial and climate shocks. Communities are establishing successful agribusinesses, whilst ensuring equitable access to resources and rejuvenating their land for generations to come.
How our work supports Burundi’s national targets
The Burundi government’s National Development Plan (2018-2027) includes a focus on:
Developing growth-promoting sectors for the structural transformation of the economy
Ripple Effect Burundi is prioritising financial security to see more households lifted out of poverty and earning more than the international poverty line of US$1.90 per person, per day. We are supporting farmers in creating or joining cooperatives that promote value addition.
Ensuring sustainable management of the environment, mitigating climate change and improving land use planning
Ripple Effect Burundi is building the capacities of farmers, peer farmers, their communities and local authorities to become sustainably resilient to the consequences of climate change and effectively engaged in restoring ecosystems.
In addition...
Our partnerships
Our work in Burundi has established strong, relationships with government bodies, partners and the wider community. Government extension workers (especially commune-level agronomist and veterinary technicians) are closely working in collaboration with our project facilitators in training and monitoring an Agroecological Climate Positive Approach to farmers.
Ripple Effect Burundi is also working closely with well-established local community structures such as Mamans Lumières and Community Health workers that help disseminate approaches beyond our direct project participants.
Racine de l’Espoir | Project - Youth Enterprise & Agri-business Stimulation project 2019 to 2021
Ripple Effect has been working in partnership with a local community based organisation Racine de l’Espoir (Roots of Hope) which specialises in working with young people. This partnership has helped to implement training and networking for young people to address the challenges faced in securing employment. Currently, we are also partnering for our GANCA II project.
Watch the video to find out more about our partnership with Racine de l'Espoir
Talk to us
Gloria Nimpundu
Vicomte Nkunda
For anything else please contact programmes@rippleeffect.org and we will reply to you promptly.
Ripple Effect Burundi Head Office
Quartier Rohero II
Boulevard Mao-Tse-Toug
N0 10
P.O.Box 1230
Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: +257 22278085
Email: burundi@rippleeffect.org
Website: rippleeffect.org/burundi
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