Impact of physical infrastructures on agricultural production in Burundi
The main objective of this article is to explore the impact of physical infrastructures on agricultural production in Burundi. We use the Engle-Granger method to estimate quarterly data from 2005q1 to 2020q4. First, the results revealed that all series under study are integrated of order one (ADF unit root test) and cointegrated (Engle-Granger cointegration test). Secondly, the OLS results show that in the long term, electricity, and water/sanitation infrastructures considerably contribute to agricultural production, while ICTs influence agricultural production less. Furthermore, transport infrastructure does not affect immediately agricultural production. Thirdly, the results of the ECM reveal that in the short term, ICTs occupy an important place in improving agricultural production, water/sanitation infrastructures have no impact, and transport infrastructures have a negative and significant impact on agricultural production. These results have policy implications that would enable Burundian government decision-makers to adopt strategies aimed at increasing the resources allocated to basic physical infrastructures, in particular the electricity and water/sanitation sectors, as well as to improve their offer.
Index Terms – Impact ; physical infrastructures ; agricultural production ; Engle-Granger method ; Burundi
Sinzinkayo, P., Minani, B., & Kobou, G. (2023). Impact of physical infrastructures on agricultural production in Burundi. The International Journal of Engineering Research (TIJER), 10(7). https://www.tijer.org
Impact of public R&D expenditures on crop production in Burundi.
Cet article analyse les impacts des dépenses publiques en R&D sur la production végétale au Burundi en tenant compte des facteurs de production conventionnels (la terre, le travail et les fertilisants). La méthode ARDL a été utilisée pour estimer les données allant de 1991 à 2016. Les résultats montrent qu’au Burundi, les dépenses publiques en R&D influencent très hautement significativement la production végétale à long terme. En revanche, les terres cultivées et la fumure organique influencent simplement significativement la production végétale à long terme alors qu’à court terme, elles n’ont pas d’impact significatif sur la production végétale. De plus, la main-d’œuvre n’affecte pas la production végétale au Burundi. Les résultats trouvés s’inscrivent dans la perspective de la théorie Keynésienne, car ils montrent qu’un accroissement des dépenses publiques en R&D augmente considérablement la production végétale. Par conséquent, il est recommandé au Gouvernement Burundais d’augmenter les ressources publiques consacrées dans la R&D agricole.
Mots clés : impact ; dépenses publiques en R&D ; production végétale ; méthode ARDL ; Burundi
Sinzinkayo, P., Kobou, G., & Minani, B. (2023). Impact of public R&D expenditures on crop production in Burundi. Revue Française d’Économie et de Gestion, 4(9), 392–408. from https://www.revuefreg.fr/index.php/home/article/view/1284
Rapid risk assessment to prioritise potentially high‑risk non‑native plant pests to protect agriculture and forestry, safeguard biodiversity, and facilitate trade in Burundi.
The lack of information regarding potential invasions is one of the crucial factors ontributing to the rise in pest incursions in sub-Saharan Africa, which was addressed through horizon scanning. Utilising the CABI Horizon Scanning Tool, 8,747 non-native pest species not previously recorded in Burundi were identified. The initial output was filtered to include only species with complete names, resulting in 8,541 species. This was further refined by selecting pests that affected major value chains in Burundi, leading to 1,803 species. Eight species were added from the analysis of the current list of regulated pests for Burundi, along with four soft rot species considered of phytosanitary concern, bringing the total to 1,815. An additional 104 vectors that transmit the assessed species and seven pathogenic organisms transmitted by those species were added, resulting in 1,926 species. The 1,926 pest species, including 416 classified as invasive, comprised 550 arthropods, 153 bacteria, 79 chromista, 518 fungi, 19 molluscs, 141 nematodes, nine protists, 16 viroids, and 437 viruses. The highest recorded overall risk score was 175, attributed to 41 species, while the lowest was 2, associated with 55 species. The majority (n = 1,030; 53%) of the assessed species could solely be introduced as contaminants, whereas the least (n = 347; 18%) were stowaways, and others (n = 435; 23%) could be introduced through multiple pathways. Using agreed-upon criteria for suggesting management actions, 58% (n = 1,123) of the pest species were deemed unsuitable for any action, 18% (n = 350) were recommended for detection surveillance, and 25% (n = 476) were considered for regulation. Additional actions included contingency planning, raising awareness about high-risk pests (risk communication), managing some species through industry involvement, and conducting research to inform phytosanitary measures. These horizon scanning results will be utilised to develop a Register of Priority Pests for Burundi for risk monitoring and to update the list of regulated pests to facilitate trade in Burundi.
KEYWORDS : Invasive alien species, horizon scanning, pest identification, pest risk analysis, pest risk management
Mulema, J., Ndayihanzamaso, P., Birushe, P., Bizimungu, E., … Minani, B., … (2025). Rapid risk assessment to prioritise potentially high‑risk non‑native plant pests to protect agriculture and forestry, safeguard biodiversity, and facilitate trade in Burundi. Frontiers in Agronomy, 7, Article 1604493. https://doi.org/10.3389/fagro.2025.1604493
Agro-Food Processing Units and their Contribution to Sustainable Development: Evidence from Butanyerera Province, Burundi.
Agriculture sector in Burundi contributes more than 30% of the GDP and employs over 85% of the active population. Despite its importance, the sector remains characterized by low productivity, limited value addition, and high post-harvest losses. Agro-food processing is recognized as a strategic lever for improving income generation, and employment creation.
This study assesses the role of agro-food processing units in promoting sustainable development in Butanyerera Province, Burundi.
The study employed the mixed-methods approach to collect data, combining documentary review and field data collected from 33 agro-food processing units between November 2024 to and February 2025 through semi-structured interviews using Kobo Collect. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and EFA, while qualitative data were analyzed and triangulated with statistical results.
The study showed that the beverage (30.3%) and flour processing (27.3%) were the dominant activities. Employment increased significantly over time, particularly in beverage and flour units. ANOVA results revealed that product quality (p = 0.001) and product type (p = 0.001) significantly influenced quantity demanded, with strong explanatory power (R² = 0.959). Marketing strategies showed no significant effect (p = 1.000). A majority of enterprises contributed to the valorization of local agricultural products (69.7%) and reduction of post-harvest losses (36.4%). However, only 21.2% provided social security coverage, and renewable energy adoption remained limited (12.1%).
The study recommends the strengthening technical capacity, improving access to finance, promoting renewable energy adoption, formalizing enterprises, and investing in infrastructure to enhance the sustainability and competitiveness of agro-food processing in Burundi.
Key words: Role, Processing units, Agro-food products, Sustainable development, Province of Ngozi, period 2024-2025.
Nshimirimana D., Silas Nimubona S., Minani B., Diniragora A., 2026. Agro-Food Processing Units and their Contribution to Sustainable Development: Evidence from Butanyerera Province, Burundi. Asian Journal Research in Agriculture and Forestry. Article ID: 2026/AJRAF/153782.
Pest Risk Analysis for Pseudococcus viburni on Soybean to Burundi.
The risk assessment for Pseudococcus viburni (obscure mealybug) indicates a high overall risk for Burundi, with high confidence, due to the pest’s polyphagous nature, adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, and capacity for both natural and human-assisted spread. The probability of entry is high because infested nursery stock, ornamental plants, fresh produce, and contaminated packaging provide effective long-distance dispersal pathways. Establishment likelihood is also high, given the wide availability of suitable hosts—including soybean, potato, tea, and other horticultural crops—and Burundi’s favorable agro-ecological conditions of moderate temperatures, high humidity, and year-round cropping. Spread is primarily human-mediated but is amplified locally by crawler movement and ant mutualism, facilitating colonization across farms. Economically, P. viburni poses significant threats through reduced crop yields and quality, increased production costs, and potential trade restrictions. Ecologically, infestations can weaken native flora, alter trophic interactions, and disrupt mutualistic networks, potentially affecting ecosystem stability. Social impacts include income loss, unemployment, and reduced aesthetic and recreational values. Climate change may exacerbate these effects by increasing the number of generations per year and accelerating population growth.
Recommendations for Risk Management include the implementation of strict phytosanitary measures at points of entry, including certification of pest-free planting material and post-entry inspections. Surveillance, containment, and eradication programs should be prioritized, involving regular monitoring, early detection, removal of infested plants, buffer zones, and targeted biological or chemical control interventions.
Risk communication and stakeholder engagement are essential to raise awareness, promote compliance, and encourage rapid reporting of new detections. The addition of P. viburni to the official list of regulated pests is strongly recommended to enable coordinated national responses, harmonized inspection protocols, and long-term biosecurity protection for Burundi’s economically important crops.Key words : Pseudococcus viburni, Soybean, Burundi
Minani B. et Nshimirimana D., 2026. Pest Risk Analysis for Pseudococcus viburni on Soybean to Burundi. https : // www. Cabi.org/ PRA-Tool Pest Risk Analysis Tool.
The impact of farmer education on maize yield in Burundi
In Burundi, agriculture is predominantly traditional and suffers from low productivity. Farmer education is a crucial lever for adopting modern agricultural practices. Farmers in Burundi employ both monoculture (single-crop) and polyculture (intercropping) systems. Their education level may influence the choice between these practices. This study analyzes the impact of education on maize productivity via the adoption of monoculture. Data from the Integrated Survey on Household Living Conditions in Burundi for the 2019–2020 agricultural season was used, with a sample of 263 maize-producing households. An endogenous switching regression model (ESRM) was employed. Results indicate that a higher education level of the household head significantly increases the likelihood of adopting monoculture, which, in turn, enhances maize yield. This finding supports human capital theory, suggesting that education facilitates the adoption of innovative agricultural practices. Policy implications include improving farmers’ education and skills and promoting monoculture as a productive cropping system.
Sinzinkayo, P. Minani, B. Ndimubandi, J. Nyamweru, J.C.and Nimenya, N., 2026. The impact of farmer education on maize yield in Burundi: The role of cropping system choice. Journal of African Development. EMID:da62300080238d71.