Burundi Country Report 2021

The timely availability of improved seeds at affordable prices is critical to improving food security, resilience, and livelihoods for smallholder farmers in Burundi. Improved seeds can deliver state-of-the-art technology to farmers including higher yields, disease and pest resistance, climate change adaptation, and improved nutrition. This report summarizes the key findings of the study conducted by The African Seed Access Index (TASAI) to appraise the structure and economic performance of Burundi’s formal seed sector. With a focus on the four grain and legume crops important to national food and nutritional security (maize, bean, rice, and wheat) the report covers 22 key performance indicators divided into five categories: Research and Development, Industry Competitiveness, Seed Policy and Regulations, Institutional Support, and Service to Smallholder Farmers. We conclude that Burundi’s formal seed sector is in the early growth stage of development. The formal seed sector is dominated by a small number of companies producing and marketing seed of the four focus crops; however, the recent entry of several foreign seed companies signals a growing investor interest in the country’s seed sector. The Institut des Sciences Agronomiques du Burundi (ISABU), which is the only source of basic seed for most seed producers, lacks sufficient capacity to develop and release more varieties and to maintain the quality of existing varieties. Burundi’s seed policy and regulatory environment is well-defined, and the key policy instruments are up to date. However, the Office National de Contrôle et de Certification des Semences (ONCCS) lacks sufficient funding to hire and train sufficient number of public seed inspectors. The ONCCS also lacks funds to train and routinely audit accredited private seed inspectors. In addition, the ONCCS would benefit from having its own laboratory facilities and equipment to ensure that all certified seed is tested and analyzed before it is marketed. In addition to these highlights, the report discusses many positive developments as well as areas for improvement in Burundi’s formal seed sector.