Since the official launch of Season B farming on February 15, 2026, many farmers have reported that they have yet to receive the chemical fertilizer they ordered and paid for in advance from the company Fomi.
Amid arrears stretching back several years, the absence of refunds, and suspicions that fertilizer is being diverted to the black market, anger is rising across various parts of the country, where the majority of citizens depend primarily on agriculture.
Farmers allege ongoing irregularities in the distribution of fertilizer by Fomi. The company reportedly has outstanding arrears dating back nearly two years. Those who paid in advance say they do not know what happened to their money. They have neither received the fertilizer they ordered nor been refunded.
In Cibitoke Commune, frustration is particularly evident. One farmer told Burundi Iwacu: “I ordered 1,000 bags in 2024. In the most recent distribution, I received only 840 kilograms out of the 50,000 kilograms I was supposed to receive, given that each bag weighs 50 kilograms.”
He explained that customers are required to pay half of the total cost upfront. A 50-kilogram bag costs 60,000 Burundian francs, meaning he paid 30 million francs in advance.
“Imagine investing that kind of money and then being treated this way,” he said. “All my economic activities have been halted. I was devastated.”
The farmer suspects that fertilizer intended for farmers is being sold to unauthorized traders and diverted to the black market at extremely high prices.
“One bag is being sold for 250,000 Burundian francs to individuals. Who can afford that? This is injustice. We can no longer tolerate it.”
Other farmers report facing similar challenges, saying it has become extremely difficult to obtain sufficient fertilizer for their fields. As a last resort, some purchase whatever limited quantities they can find, despite the exorbitant prices.
Another woman from the same area told the media how deeply the situation has affected her. “The Fomi fertilizer issue is serious. I have lost hope. Since the last distribution, I have not received even one kilogram, yet I placed my order in June 2025.”
She is calling for the reintroduction of the former blended fertilizer mixed with urea, stating that it produced better yields. She no longer believes she will recover the money she invested.
A Market Dominated by a Few
Economist Patrice Ndimanya believes that liberalizing the fertilizer market would reduce these problems instead of allowing it to remain controlled by a limited number of actors.
“We saw it with sugar. When private individuals were allowed to import it, the shortage decreased. To resolve these tensions, the market must be opened,” he said.
The university lecturer also argues that authorities should carefully examine how fertilizer is allocated. If it is not first directed toward permanent food crops such as bananas, avocados, and mangoes, as well as key cash crops like tea and coffee, which contribute significantly to overall agricultural production, the funds invested may be excessive and ultimately wasted.
“The fertilizer budget accounts for more than 60 percent of the Ministry of Agriculture’s total budget. Yet livestock alone contributes 24 percent to overall agricultural output. The government should prioritize carefully instead of concentrating heavily on maize under current agricultural policy,” he said.
He added that investing too heavily in a single crop risks misallocating resources. “When the government allocates 300 billion francs to one commodity, some individuals seek ways to benefit from it. That can lead to corruption and market monopolization.”
To help farmers become more self-reliant, he recommends introducing alternative mechanisms to improve access to fertilizer, including support for organic manure production.
While acknowledging that Fomi performs well in certain areas, he insists that other companies should be allowed to operate in the sector to prevent market monopolization.
Burundi Iwacu has not yet received a response from Fomi regarding the concerns raised.
