On March 20th, 2019, it held in Bujumbura a workshop organized by the committee on Agriculture, Tourism and Natural Resources (ATNR) of the EALA.
The workshop was chaired by the Honorable Pierre Céléstin Rwigema of Rwanda. Before starting the latter, the chairperson of the meeting asked Mrs Françoise Uwumukiza to pray for the workshop
After the prayer, participants in the workshop came one by one to get to know each other better. Were present in this workshop :
- The members of the Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Livestock at the National Assembly,
- Representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Budget and Cooperation for Economic Development,
- Representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, Agriculture and Livestock,
- CAADP[1] focal points within the Ministry of Agriculture,
- The representatives of the farmers associations ESAFF[2] Burundi and CAPAD[3],
- Representatives of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism,
- Representatives of Burundi Private Sectors,
- The journalists BE TV [4].
In this remarks, the president of the meeting Honorable Pierre Céléstin Rwigema said the workshop has been organized because none of the EAC[1] partner states have allocated the agreed minimum of 10% percent in enhancing investment finance in agriculture as stated in Malabo Declaration.
After the presentation why the workshop has been organized, Honorable Pierre Céléstin Rwigema gave time to the Ambassador Jean Rigi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry to the Office of the President responsible for EAC Affairs to read the Opening Remarks.
In his Opening Remarks, he said that the Republic of Burundi is delighted to host today’s oversight activity, which we believe shall be successful. EALA Committee on ATNR plays a key role and that the Protection Bill 2015 establishes a Region Legal framework for Environment Conservation. Added Jean Rigi.
It’s In the perspective of implementation of, and supporting this EAC Bill, that the Republic of Burundi has put in place a National Programme called “Ewe Burundi Urambaye – to be translated Burundi, you are well dressed up”, which aims at planting trees everywhere it is deemed necessary and with the objective of promoting youth employment.
Before concluding his remarks, the Ambassador Jean Rigi convinced that the future for EAC is brighter but there is need to involve all EAC Stakeholders to help the Government in EAC to put in place the right policies, to ensure equitable sharing of the resources required for the implementation of Declaration of Malabo.
After the opening remarks, the chairman of the meeting gave time to different participants for presentations. The later has been done by the representatives of Ministry of Finance, Budget and Cooperation for Economic Development, the Focal Point of CAADP in MINEAL and the representative of small scale farmers “ESAFF Burundi” to show what has been done and doing for the implementation of Declaration of Malabo 2014.
In his presentation, Mr. Nolasque Ndikumana showed the technics used to establish the budget used by different ministries especially the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock. The sectors such as agricultural, industries and tourism and banks and insurances are the most used sector for the establishment
of budget, added Mr. Ndikumana.
Nolasque Ndikumana showed that agricultural sector contributed 34,2% of GDP in 2018 and that the budget allocated in agricultural sector for this 2018/2019 year is 9.6%. And for 2019/2020, the government has planned to allocate 10,1% of national budget in agricultural sector.
The focal point of CAADP in the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock (MINEAL), in his presentation, shows the status of Implementation of the Malabo Declaration in Burundi after having briefed the participants the historic of Malabo Declaration of 2014.
Mr. Zénon Nsananikiye, considered the Biennal Review of Africa Union Commission (AUC), showed that Burundi is on track of implementing the Malabo Declaration after showing that it did 5 out of 7 statements of Malabo Declaration
Two statements which are yet done are Ending Hunger by 2025 and the creation of Investment Bank.
Mr. Zénon Nsananikiye, after showing Burundi is on track for the implementation of the Malabo Declaration, said that we cannot forget to talk about challenges during the execution of that implementation. We can say about struggling in reporting on post-harvest losses, women empowerment in agriculture and job creation for youth in agriculture and reduction rate of poverty headcount ratio, at national poverty line, …
Before achieving his presentation, Mr. Zénon Nsananikiye gave some recommendations for the Malabo Declaration to be well implemented. He talked about providing adequate training and capacity building by increasing the number of national Biennale Review experts, intensifying the training for both the trainers and experts at country level, supporting from technical partners may be needed to develop standard methods for data collection
The last presentation has been done by the representative of small scale farmers Mr. Augustin Mpawenimana who is the coordinator of ESAFF Burundi.
Mr. Mpawenimana showed what ESAFF Burundi has done to implement the Malabo Declaration in Burundi. He talked about the petition signed in 2018, the integration of Fisheries and Agriculture to enhance Fish Production and Food Security, the promotion of Small Scale Farm to create new Associations/Cooperatives or adhere in the existing and the track of the effect of public expenditure on growth and/or social outcomes.
But, Mr. Augustin Mpawenimana didn’t forget to show the challenges that face the agricultural sector. These challenges are the lack of access to quality and timely inputs especially local seed and organic fertilizers that do not destroy soil and environment, the lack of access to Agriculture Investment Banks that ensures access to financial services by smallholder farmers in rural areas, the post-harvest loss and lack of conservation mechanism, …
Before the end of the presentation, the organizations of small scale farmers made a call that has been read by the Chairperson of ESAFF Burundi, Mr. Obed Girukwayo.
After the presentations, questions and suggestions have been made by the participants for seeing what can be done to promote the implementation of Malabo Declaration. The Committee on ATNR emphasized that a report of the interventions given will be made up and presented. A family picture has been taken for those who attended the workshop for that day.
