Project assistance completion report : basic food crops project report

The planned seed farm was established and is now staffed completely with Government of Burundi (GOB) personnel trained under the project. However, of 20,000 potential beneficiary families, only about 3,000 were reached by the project due to the seed farm's financial problems. Seed revenues were less than expected due to: (1) low production as a result of poor soils, sporadic availability of farming inputs, and conflicting directives from GOB, USAID/B, and project managers; and (2) the sale of seeds at below market prices due to the absence of a favorable national seed pricing policy. However, USAID/B's response to the project's economic failure may prove even more significant than outputs anticipated by the project design. By hiring several consultants to examine the finances of the Kajondi farm and the Burundi seed sector in general, the Mission was able to develop an excellent dialogue with the Government of Burundi on seed policy reform. The Ministry of Agriculture eventually asked USAID/B to provide seed consultants to assist in developing a National Seed Plan (NSP). The result is a plan which relies upon existing infrastructure and facilities but develops the necessary organizational structure of coordination, and administrative and seed quality control. A National Seed Society (NSS) established under the plan will be responsible for the multiplication, production, marketing, and distribution of both basic and certified seeds. The NSS will be oriented towards eventually becoming a private sector enterprise. Although the Kajondi farm will become just one of numerous NSS contractors, it will be provided the opportunity to produce the majority of foundation seed for the country. Kajondi's processing facilities will also be available for cleaning seeds from other projects on a fee basis.