The President of the Republic, His Excellency Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE enhanced the activities of a retreat on the implementation of the Agricultural Policy Document of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and the Environment, a retreat which was held this Tuesday, December 15 in Bugarama zone in the Commune and Province of Muramvya.

The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and the Environment who presented the document indicated that this policy aims to increase production so that each citizen has enough to eat in accordance with the principle of Responsible and Laborious Government while protecting the environment.

Minister Deo Guide RUREMA revealed that, through this policy, his ministry plans, among other things, to introduce new export crops, the construction of 9 factories for the valuation of agricultural products, the increase of livestock at the level of 5 percent, the repatriation of state lands, the construction of regional sheds for the conservation of productions, the protection of water sources as well as the increase of forests by planting trees.

In his remarks, His Excellency the President of the Republic insisted on the importance of this retreat which gives an orientation to the officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, the administrative authorities, the businessmen as well as the technical and financial partners so that everyone knows his role in the country’s development.

Burundi Head of State confided that “it is not the State which practices agriculture but that it plays the role of mentor to the farmers by providing agricultural techniques for the increase of the production”. President Ndayishimiye indicated that economic operators are in turn called upon to add value to agricultural products through their marketing in order to bring foreign currency to the country.

The Head of State talked equally about administrative officials. He believes that they play the role of commanders: “You should know that the first fight is the promotion of agriculture and livestock and you are commanders who guide the population. There is no such thing as a bad soldier, but a bad commander. “

To economic and financial partners, he reminded them that they must align themselves with government programs to initiate projects that are beneficial to the country and above all to prevent budgets allocated to certain projects from being canceled.

His Excellency the President of the Republic then revealed his government’s expectations regarding the increase in production and the fight against hunger in the country.

His Excellency Evariste Ndayishimiye expressed the wish to see all State lands being exploited. He called for sensitization for the farmers’ group to increase production and fight erosion.

The President of the Republic recommended to officials of the Ministry of Agriculture to resume the training provided by agricultural instructors in order to improve the agricultural techniques used by peasant farmers. He expressed the wish to see Kirundo province once again become the granary of Burundi. He recommended promoting the cultivation of cereals such as rice, corn and wheat with the aim of fighting hunger as well as bee breeding to increase export products.

President Ndayishimiye further invited businessmen to invest in the construction of the agrifood breeding centers with the aim of facilitating the coordination of agriculture and livestock at the communal level. The Head of State did not forget to ask the Ministry of Commerce to facilitate the work of businessmen for the development of the agricultural industry in Burundi. Regarding the grievances presented by the economic operators, President Ndayishimiye promised them the unwavering support of the state by combating in particular tax evasion and unfair competition.

Finally, His Excellency the President of the Republic stressed that promoting agriculture and livestock is the only way to develop the country and that for this all Burundians must, as far as they are concerned, bring their contribution in the development of the country.

Note that before the opening of this retreat, the Head of State inaugurated the Green Park Resort, a luxury hotel owned by a businessman known as Antoine Muzaneza. The latter gave the Head of State 2 cows to express gratitude for his support to Burundian businessmen.