{"id":8830,"date":"2025-01-08T12:45:06","date_gmt":"2025-01-08T12:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cordaid.org\/en\/?p=8830"},"modified":"2026-03-17T15:48:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:48:09","slug":"empowering-farmers-burundi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cordaid.org\/en\/news\/empowering-farmers-burundi\/","title":{"rendered":"Empowering Farmers in Burundi: How Financial Inclusion is Transforming Lives"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Burundi is a low-income country, with 80% of its population working in agriculture. In 2019, a study by the National Bank of Burundi revealed a stark reality: only 2% of loans from microfinance institutions supported the agricultural sector. Recognising this gap, Cordaid launched the Rural Innovative Finance Development Support Project (PADFIR).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Burundian farmers and participants in Cordaid’s PADFIR programme. Photograph: Mickael Franci\/Cordaid<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

PADFIR has helped rural farmers access vital resources, transforming their lives and livelihoods by raising awareness, creating tailored financial products, and partnering with microfinance institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download and read the capacity statement for the PADFIR programme<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Path to Opportunity: The Agri-Finance Model<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of PADFIR\u2019s standout initiatives is the introduction of agri-finance using the Agriculture Credit Assessment Tool (A-CAT). This tool facilitates financing across the agricultural value chain, ensuring farmers receive the support they need for sustainable growth. As the project approaches its conclusion, the results are evident: countless families have gained financial independence and stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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‘The advice on planting calendars, seasonal best practices, and modern techniques was invaluable.’<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

A Loan That Changed Lives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Speciose Niyokindi, a mother who once struggled to feed her children, testifies: ‘Without credit, farming would have been impossible for my husband and me. We didn\u2019t even have land to cultivate. Thanks to the microfinance loan and guidance from agronomists, we now have bountiful harvests and a brighter future.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With their debt nearly repaid, Speciose and her family plan to expand into livestock farming. Her story is a testament to how financial inclusion can uplift communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Speciose Niyokindi, potato farmer and participant in Cordaid’s PADFIR programme. Photograph: Mickael Franci\/Cordaid<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Marc Bancanamwo\u2019s journey is another success story. With a loan of 1,133 euros, he harvested over 73 tons of potatoes, earning recognition as a seed multiplier in Mwaro province. ‘Cordaid connected us with microfinance collaborators who provided funding and technical support,’ Marc explains. ‘The advice on planting calendars, seasonal best practices, and modern techniques was invaluable.’<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch this documentary about Cordaid’s work on improving food systems in Burundi:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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