Farmers from a remote area in Burundi have come together to ensure they receive fair prices for their avocados. In a scene that has become familiar, farmers gather around trucks parked by the highway when it’s time to sell their avocados. This arrangement has traditionally provided a convenient market for smallholder avocado growers in a country that faces poverty challenges.
However, recent changes have transformed these transactions into lucrative opportunities for the farmers, thanks to the efforts of the national government and farmers’ cooperatives. Just a year ago, farmers were earning a meagre 10 cents per kilogram for their avocados. Today, they receive around 70 cents for the same quantity, significantly improving their income as they mainly rely on farming to support their families.
The involvement of cooperatives like Green Gold Burundi has been instrumental in regulating the avocado trade and ensuring fair practices for farmers. These cooperatives act as intermediaries, empowering farmers against exploitation by setting terms with foreign avocado dealers. The cooperatives play a vital role in streamlining exports and ensuring that Burundian avocados reach their final destinations with a unique trademark.
While these developments are promising, challenges remain, such as the need to establish minimum prices for farmers, restrict direct deals between foreign traders and local farmers, and promote the cultivation of high-demand Hass avocados. Despite the hurdles, the government aims to boost avocado exports, aiming to plant 50,000 avocado trees in each province to export over 10 million tonnes annually by 2030.
In a country where agriculture is the primary economic activity and poverty levels are high, the increased focus on avocado farming offers hope for improved livelihoods. Farmers like Eric Nsabimana have embraced avocado cultivation as a reliable income source, with some reaping substantial earnings by expanding their avocado plantations.
Cooperatives like Green Gold Burundi have played a crucial role in empowering farmers and ensuring they receive fair compensation for their produce. By eliminating middlemen and focusing on capacity building, these cooperatives are driving a positive change in the avocado industry, encouraging more farmers to join the avocado bandwagon.
As the government works towards organising and regulating avocado exports, the future looks promising for Burundian farmers. With concerted efforts to establish fair trade practices and promote avocado cultivation, the avocado industry in Burundi is poised for growth and transformation, offering a ray of hope for farmers in the region.