Improve food production for 120 farmers

During the last months of 2023, the construction of 8 improved buildings was completed in 8 households in Ruyigi and Rutana provinces. The selected households are members of the local Rural Service Centres, associations of farmers that provide services to improve the production and processing of agricultural products.

The buildings were constructed close to the families' homes with the aim of improving the animals' living conditions, especially in terms of welfare and hygiene. Materials such as eucalyptus wood and metal corrugated roofing were used, materials that are readily available locally. The buildings are intended to be pilot models and examples for local farming communities, each of which can learn the rationale with which they were built and adapt it to their own specific context and economic possibilities.

The construction of the buildings was supported by specific training for the farmers about animal nutrition in order to have healthy animals and products - such as milk and meat - of quality, in a country where meeting household food needs is an increasingly complex challenge. More than 300 farmers have participated!

During the last months, two researchers from the University of Burundi also carried out a first phase of field research. Simeon and Daniel visited the farmers involved on a regular basis and noted their satisfaction with the building solution adopted, as well as the fact that the farmers recognised a change in animal welfare, helped by the simple but fundamental precautions taken in the buildings.

In the coming months, training activities and research in collaboration with the University will continue with the aim of improving the livestock-related food chain and contributing, in small part, to reinforce the food security of rural households!