China has offered a grant of 591.5 tons of rice to accompany Burundi in the fight against poverty and ensure food security, said the ambassador of China in Burundi, Zhao Jiangping while handing over the gift to the government of Burundi this Tuesday, March 21, 2023.
According to Zhao Jiangping, Burundi has been affected by natural disasters, the effects of climate change, regional and international conflicts, and others. To face these challenges, the government of Burundi has made great efforts to increase agricultural production and transformation of production to ensure food security.
She also said that China has focused on agricultural cooperation as a framework for bilateral cooperation.
“As China has completed the 5th phase of technical cooperation on agriculture, this country intends to start the 6th phase which will focus on selected seeds of rice, corn, and mushroom as well as research on local production of hybrid rice seeds,” said Jiangping.
During the 60 years of relationship between China and Burundi, China intends to work in synergy with the relevant Burundian services for the implementation of 9 programs launched in the framework of China-Africa cooperation.
She cited the program for the fight against poverty, promotion of trade and investment, development, and others. “The Chinese side is committed to close cooperation for the implementation of these programs to ensure the food security of both countries and for the welfare of the Burundian and Chinese people”.
For her part, the Minister of National Solidarity, Social Affairs, Human Rights and Gender, Imelde Sabushimike applauded the donation and said it will ease the burden on the vulnerable population that the government is called to assist especially at this time when food prices are soaring due to poor harvests in recent crop seasons.
The Minister informed that this assistance is a total of 910 tons of rice and that the first 591.5 tons have just been received and that 318.5 tons are still left in Dar Es Salam, hoping that it will be delivered within the agreed time.
Source : RegionWeek