GITEGA April 4th (ABP) – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations “FAO”, in collaboration with Burundi business incubator “BBIN” organized on Tuesday March 29, 2022 in Gitega (central Burundi), a reflection workshop on employment opportunities and funding for young and female agripreneurs as part of the project “Promoting employment opportunities and Agripreneurship among youth and women in eastern Africa”.
In their interventions, some young people said that when implementing their projects, they often face a multitude of challenges, including the problem of lack of internet access to exhibit and market their products through social networks.
As for Kévin Rubuka, an agripreneur from the Musinzira district of the Gitega commune, each job has its own risks. He urged young people to overcome fear in order to invest in Agripreneurship for self-development. He also urged them to work together because according to him, unity is strength.
For example, Mr. Rubuka indicated that he is committed to investing in agriculture by planting potatoes and soybeans on 2 hectares in 2019 with an income of 8 million Burundian francs. He further shared that now he is developing 8 hectares of arable land where he is planting various crops. In terms of livestock, Rubuka explained that he owns around 1,100 hens.
Mr. Rubuka appreciates his progress in Agripreneurship, but he has a problem related to the lack of a market for these hens and the lack of good quality seeds to have a good harvest.
Mrs. Faustine Ndaruzaniye from Rwezamenyo village, Makebuko commune of Gitega province reported that despite her significant progress, she does not have a suitable place to expand her crops. However, she reported that she can harvest 50 bags of vegetables twice a month, with an amount of 15,000 BIF per bag.
The deputy head in charge of programs at the FAO in Burundi, Mr. Alain Ndakoze reassured those young people that he will have a network that will allow them to better advance and expose their activities.