Burundi officially launched the Integrated Agricultural Development Project, known as BRIDEP, on 15 October 2026. The ceremony took place in the Mitakataka zone of Bubanza commune. The African Development Bank (AfDB) serves as the primary financier for the initiative.
During the event, organizers established the theme for the project launch: "Faisons face aux changements climatiques, augmentons la production et investissons dans la région et à l’international." This project aims to support agricultural development through resources provided by the African Development Bank. Operations within the Mitakataka zone represent the start of the implementation phase for the program.
Project Scope and Targets
The project targets 120,000 households across two specific provinces. Data from the initiative confirms that 80,000 of these households reside in Bujumbura province, while 40,000 are located in Gitega province.
Program organizers have established demographic goals for the distribution of these resources. The project aims for a beneficiary population comprised of 50% women. Additionally, 30% of the individuals receiving support under the Integrated Agricultural Development Project will be youth. These figures define the reach and intended social composition for the implementation phase currently underway in the region.
Land Development and Irrigation
Engineers and planners involved in the Integrated Agricultural Development Project have scheduled the development of 1,735 hectares of irrigated marshland. This infrastructure work is divided across three specific sites, with 440 hectares designated for Randa, 585 hectares in Gifurwe, and 610 hectares in Bugoma. These installations are intended to provide the water management systems necessary for consistent crop cultivation throughout the year.
Beyond the marshland improvements, the project includes plans to develop 9,199 hectares of steep hills located within Bujumbura province. Soil conservation and land management techniques will be applied to these hillside areas to stabilize the terrain and improve overall agricultural productivity. These activities form a central component of the broader efforts to modernize land use practices within the targeted regions of Burundi.
Management teams overseeing the project intend to shift agricultural output on these affected lands from a single harvest per year to a cycle of three seasons per year. By increasing the frequency of cultivation through irrigation and land development, the initiative seeks to raise total production levels. This transition reflects the technical goals established for the implementation phase currently underway.