Farmers in the provinces of Makamba and Rutana in southeastern Burundi say they have gradually lost hope of being supplied with fertilizers for the current farming season. They have long paid the advances required to have access to agricultural inputs, in vain. INFO SOS Médias Burundi

Farmers who spoke to SOS Médias Burundi should have benefited from fertilizers intended for sowing and weeding. They speak of a « bitter observation ». In addition to the long distances they are forced to go, those concerned say they can spend several days in the provincial or district town centers, waiting to be served without success.

« We jostle like animals during the distribution of fertilizers. Many of us are beaten by police officers or Imbonerakure (members of the youth league of the CNDD-FDD, the ruling party) who come to supervise the distribution of chemical fertilizers, » says a farmer from Makamba.

In Makamba and Rutana, farmers say that the police favor traders in receiving agricultural inputs in exchange for paying bribes.

According to local sources in the two provinces bordering Tanzania, these traders in turn sell these fertilizers in neighboring Tanzania, at very high prices.

Normally, each household receives a voucher when it pays the advance. But several families saw their vouchers canceled during the last season. They say they fear that the same situation will repeat itself.

Every time farmers complain, they get the same answer : « this week, fertilizers will be available ».