The file photo shows farmers raising hybrid rice seedlings in Kihanga, Bubanza Province, Burundi, Oct. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
Burundi is highly satisfied with the achievements of the fifth team of Chinese agricultural experts who have ended their mission in the country, says a senior Burundian official.
BUJUMBURA, Feb. 12 (Xinhua) -- Burundi is highly satisfied with the achievements of the fifth team of Chinese agricultural experts who have ended their mission in the country, a senior Burundian official said here Friday evening.
"This is a big opportunity for the Burundian government to express appreciation and satisfaction with regards to achievements done by the team of Chinese agricultural experts in Burundi," said Emmanuel Ndorimana, assistant to the environment, agriculture and livestock minister, during a farewell ceremony for the fifth team of Chinese agricultural experts at the Chinese embassy in Burundi.
The file photo shows Chinese rice expert Dan Songbai (1st L) instructing local farmers in a hybrid rice field in Kihanga, Bubanza Province, Burundi, Oct. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
According to Ndorimana, in the context of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, five teams of Chinese agricultural experts have been sent to Burundi to support the East African nation's farming sector.
In total, 45 experts were sent to Burundi in five phases, he said, adding that they have specializations in rice growing, pedology and fertilization, food transformation, fruit arboriculture, livestock and fish farming.
"It was also an opportunity to bring us (Burundi) a big number of agricultural equipment," said Ndorimana.
He indicated that the commitment of Chinese experts in the trial and demonstration of new varieties and new technologies, as well as the training of staff, industrial development, planning and implementation of big projects, was appreciated by the Burundian environment, local farmers and other partners.
The file photo shows a farmer weeding a rice field in Kihanga, Bubanza Province, Burundi, Oct. 29, 2022. (Xinhua/Dong Jianghui)
In the rice sector, Ndorimana said the team of experts successfully selected the hybrid rice adapted for Burundi, with a production record of about 12 metric tons per hectare.
"The agricultural cooperation that dates back to 1984 is the privileged sector and pioneer in the framework of Sino-Burundian pragmatic cooperation that brought to us abundant fruits," said Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Zhao Jiangping.
Zhao said the team based in the district of Gihanga, in Bubanza Province, western Burundi, had tremendous success despite difficulties linked with the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I take this opportunity to congratulate the Chinese agricultural experts led by Yang Huade. Very laborious and responsible and driven by the Sino-Burundian cooperation, they brought an important contribution to the agricultural cooperation between our two countries," she said.
Zhao said the cooperation between China and Burundi will remain "permanent and eternal." ■
