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

5. Support organizations of informal cross-border traders in disseminating information on these rightsand obligations and in delivering advice and information to enhance the capacities of the traders.6. Continue to improve the quality of infrastructure at all border crossings to provide an open and safeenvironment for traders, with attention to the specific needs of women traders, and appropriate facilitiesfor officials to undertake their work.7. Improve the quality of data collected at all border posts on small traders, including the number passingthrough the border each day and the nature of the goods carried.Burundi has a recognized potential for the production of a variety of horticultural products, whichcould help shift the country’s export basket from basic to higher value primary products 82 in themedium term. As stated in the PRSP II and in the National Plan for Agricultural Investment 2012-2017adopted in 2011, the Burundian authorities are committed to promote the intensification, diversificationand quality improvement of agricultural production in Burundi, notably in horticultural products.Moreover, several recent or ongoing donor projects have targeted the horticulture sector, which shouldhave a positive impact on horticultural production in the near future 83 . However, the limited response interms of country-wide production and exports so far, as well as the results of the survey of farmerscarried out for the DTIS update, suggest that the strategy needs to put more emphasis on creating afavorable business environment and facilitating the participation of the various actors in the horticulturalvalue chain. Supporting individual products or producers without addressing the fundamental constraintsthat limit production capacities and transaction costs will translate into limited results. Areas for priorityaction include the provision of support services (including research and extension services),strengthening of producer associations, the improvement of logistics (notably transport and storagefacilities), and the increased access to financial services.82 For example, World Bank (2011b) identifies several specialty fruits and vegetables (e.g. pineapple, avocado,passion fruit, small bananas, papaya, mango, cherimoya, green podded peas, baby vegetables, leafy greens,macadamia), as well as flowers and plants such as roses, dracaena, and cinchona bark.83 Donors involved in the Burundian horticulture sector include the USAID, the European Union, the IFAD, theFAO and the World Bank. The UNIDO has also been active on issues related to SPS compliance for exports.72 / 153