BUJUMBURA, May 14th (ABP) – Burundi Prime Minister, Mr. Gervais Ndirakobuca, returned Friday May 10 from the Republic of Kenya where he participated in the African summit on fertilizers and soil health.
Mr. Ndirakobuca, who represented the President of the Republic, said that that summit, which brought together Heads of State and Government at the African level, was organized by the Republic of Kenya and the Union African. Its aim was to analyze and study issues related to the misuse of fertilizers at the African level in order to enable African countries to have a good harvest and guarantee soil protection.
The Heads of State and Government noted that 30% of arable land has deteriorated, which pushes Africa to remain in poverty because of the use of fertilizers which deteriorate the land, indicated Mr. Ndirakobuca, pointing out that there are also fertilizers that are used without the advice of agricultural specialists.
Mr. Ndirakobuca indicated that the Heads of State and Government agreed that in 2033, all African countries must do everything possible to increase the means for the manufacture of fertilizers favourable to arable land, and to bring it closer to the population. They also agreed to support small businesses that manufacture fertilizers, especially those run by women and young people. Moreover, for the land to be fertile, the Heads of State and Government have bet that by 2033, 30% of deteriorated arable land must be made fertile. To achieve that, we will have to leave arable land fallow, make fertilizers that do not deteriorate the land and protect land that is sloping.
The Heads of State and Government also agreed to increase financial resources in the field of agriculture, by supporting the African Fertilizer Financing Mechanism project, with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB), and set up a fund to support that area of fertilizers.
Mr. Ndirakobuca took the opportunity to declare that Burundi has already taken a significant step in the field of fertilizer promotion.
Burundi Prime Minister revealed that the Heads of State and Government, on the side-lines of the said summit, participated in a meeting whose aim was to study security issues in South Sudan.