For decades, avocados have been grown on our hillsides to feed our families, but they have not generated significant profits for the farmers. Meanwhile, global demand for avocados, a nutrient-rich fruit with numerous benefits, has continued to rise. The question then was how to turn this hidden treasure into a source of wealth for producers and, by extension, for the entire Burundian nation.
After a thorough analysis, it was found that the challenges were numerous: fragmented producers, lack of unified quality standards, limited access to international markets, and more. However, it was also recognized that each challenge represented an opportunity if we chose to work together.
This is a deeply rooted belief in our approach, a conviction that has guided our actions and decisions. Faced with the multiple challenges encountered by avocado producers in Burundi, it became clear that individualism was no longer a viable solution.
Each producer, isolated in their own corner, faced insurmountable obstacles: limited market access, reduced bargaining power, lack of technical and financial resources, and more. This fragmentation, far from promoting the development of the avocado sector, hindered its growth and prevented producers from realizing the full potential of their crops.
It was in this context that four of the country's largest avocado producers, known for their expertise and commitment, decided to take a decisive step forward. They were joined by many other producers from the provinces of Ngozi, Karusi, Kirundo, Muyinga, Cankuzo, Kayanza, Ruyigi, Gitega, Cibitoke, Muramvya, and Mwaro, uniting their forces under a single banner: Burundi Avocado Marketing.
But this initiative would never have come to fruition without the unwavering support of the government of Burundi, which, under the enlightened leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic, Major General Évariste NDAYISHIMIYE, understood the strategic importance of avocados for the national economy. This initiative is fully in line with his noble vision of an emerging Burundi by 2040 and a developed country by 2060, an ambitious project aimed at transforming our nation into a regional economic power.
Burundi Avocado Marketing is not just a commercial entity; it is the symbol of a shared vision to make avocados a flagship product of the Burundian economy, alongside traditional giants like coffee, tea, and cotton. It is a platform for innovation and collaboration where every producer, whether small or large, has a place and can contribute to collective prosperity. By uniting our resources, skills, and ambitions, we have created an avocado sector capable of withstanding the challenges of the global market while providing exceptional economic opportunities to producers across the country.
This initiative demonstrates that even in the face of the most complex challenges, the union of forces, collective commitment, and government support can transform an economic sector. Together, we are writing a new chapter in the history of avocados in Burundi, a history of success, innovation, and shared prosperity.