(DTIS) Update, Volume 1 – Main report - Enhanced Integrated ...

All the farmers declared to bear the cost of bringing their products to the market, although 42% of themresponded that buyers also contribute to this cost. Bicycles is the most frequently cited mode of transportused, followed by trucks. Most respondents reported costs between FBU 1,000 and 5,000 ($ 0.7 and 3.7)to transport products to the market. Only around 20% of respondents share transport costs with otherfarmers. Where they exist, producer associations are still at an early stage and are not involved in thetransport of goods to markets.All surveyed farmers use asphalt roads to get to markets, and a majority also use foot/bicycle paths anddirt roads. These roads are deemed to be in fair to good condition, indicating that the availability andquality of transport axis may not be a major constraint. Finally, while 70% of respondents own one orseveral functioning bicycles, none possess motor vehicles and only two farmers reported that they ownanimal-drawn carts. Around two thirds of respondents also report that they hire means of transport,mostly to intermediaries. Rental rates are relatively low for bicycles, buses or taxi are used, but go up toFBU 50,000 ($37) for the rental of motor vehicles.Marketing:For all respondents, the main factor determining the frequency of selling is the readiness of products.Second order factors include high prices are high (44% of respondents), and the availability of transportservices (33%). The survey also indicates that most farmers (70%) do not actively search for buyers fortheir products, but rely on established relationships instead. Other common modalities include the use ofmobile phones or word of mouth. Moreover, none of the surveyed farmers reported had a sales contractwith buyers.The majority of the surveyed farmers (75%) seek information on the prices offered at the market prior toselling, especially those who own mobile phones. In addition to phones, most respondents also obtaininformation on prices by word of mouth and through other farmers. Although information on pricesappears to be widely shared at the village level, the survey shows that a minority of farmers coordinatewith others on which market to target, what quantity to sell and when. This suggests that coordinationamong local producer remains limited, which reduces the possibility to share the cost of bringingproducts to the market or increase the bargaining power with buyers.Source: Consutlant interviews in Rumonge, Mutimbuzi, Rugombo, Matongo and Kaynaza, 2011The results of the survey confirm that building a favorable environment for the production andmarketing of horticultural products is a high priority. Overall, the main obstacles faced by thesurveyed farmers to increase their agricultural production and bring it to the market are: (i) the difficultaccess to agricultural inputs, (ii) the prevalence of crop pests and diseases, (iii) the limited access tocredit, (iv) the lack of output market access, (v) the absence of storage facilities and (vi) the lack ofmeans of transport. These conclusions from the survey largely echo the constraints to the development ofthe horticulture sector listed in the 2008 National Agricultural Strategy adopted by the government ofBurundi, namely:- Limited knowledge of the rapidly evolving global markets for food products, especially inemerging markets, leading to suboptimal strategic positioning of products;- insufficient knowledge of international norms and standards, particularly phytosanitarystandards;- the lack of storage facilities (especially cold chains for perishable products ) and availability ofair transport;- producers who are not well organized; and- the lack of extension services and training for producers.68 / 153