BUJUMBURA March 7th (ABP) – The Minister of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, Ir Prosper Dodiko, opened on Monday March 4 a workshop for reflection and action planning for prevention and adaptation to meteorological risks, the objective of which is to reflect on the impact of probable precipitation for season B (Impeshi), put in place an action and financing plan aimed at urgently reducing the harmful effects linked to that precipitation, and extrapolate that plan in the short and medium term.
For that action and financing plan to be successful, there must be a synergy of services and financial partners to deal with the risks that can cause that precipitation, underlined Minister Dodiko, adding that seasonal forecasts from the period of March to May 2024 leave looming doubt.
With the success of the activities of the growing season B, everyone is aware that climate change, in particular excessive precipitation which causes negative effects, affects more people and communities finding themselves in disadvantaged situations, more particularly the communities which occupy and who depend on fragile lands and ecosystems, as well as territories at risk for their housing and their means of substances, it was specified.
Ir. Dodiko said that the ministry in responsible for the Environment has opened a campaign where each household must have 3 maracuja and avocado plants.
For practical measures of prevention and adaptation to meteorological risks, it invites everyone to contribute to the implementation of the action plan, deal with the effects relating to meteorological risks, and reflect on all aspects linked to the phenomena. of short-term climate change to meet climate resilience needs.
In his presentation on the weather forecast for the period from March to May 2024, the program manager at Inades-Formation, Mr. Audace Ndikumana, indicated that the strategy used for weather forecasting during the growing season B aims those farmers practice associated agriculture in their plots and develop crop varieties more tolerant to excess rain, in particular branched beans, sweet potatoes, soybeans and maize.
Farmers must be careful not to waste crops in community sheds in order to increase production, continued Mr. Ndikumana.
On the subject of water flooding, he recommends that farmers draw contour lines to deal with it.
Mr. Ezéchiel Kayoya, a meteorologist from the Geographical Institute of Burundi (IGEBU), noted that seasonal weather forecasts of precipitation at the regional level valid from March to May 2024 show that there will be excess precipitation in the regions of Mugamba and part of Mumirwa and that of Imbo. He also announced that the end of the season called “Impeshi” 2024 B is scheduled between the 2nd and 3rd decade of May for the natural regions of Mosso, Buyogoma, Bugesera, Bututsi and the part of Kirimiro.
According to Mr. Kayoya, there will be excess rain, hence he invites the people to adjust the agricultural calendar according to natural regions, promote agricultural practices aimed at water and soil conservation as well as the diversification of livelihoods, collect and conserve rainwater for use during the dry season.
That workshop was organized after the presentation of a seasonal meteorological prevention note for the period from March to May 2024 corresponding to the growing season (Impeshi), which was presented on February 27, 2024 in Bujumbura, where the observation was that precipitation will be above normal, we remind you.