Partnership overview
Réseau Burundi 2000 Plus (RBU 2000+) has joined the FIPS Africa Training Unit Community of Practice in a partnership that marks an exciting step in deepening and diversifying our work in Burundi.
RBU 2000+ is a non-profit organisation with over 20 years of experience working with farmers to increase incomes, improve community nutrition, and support environmental management. Their strong local presence and expertise make them a valuable partner in expanding farmer-centred extension services in Burundi.
Expanding the VBA model in Burundi
This partnership builds on the success of the Village-Based Advisor (VBA) model, which has already reached over 250,000 farmers with improved maize and bean varieties through the work of the Seed Systems Group and other local partners.
FIPS Africa is now working with RBU 2000+ to deepen and diversify this approach beyond seed systems, expanding into priority value chains such as Irish potato, soil health, and poultry. Burundi becomes the sixth country where FIPS is scaling and adapting the VBA model through local partnerships.
Addressing gaps in potato and poultry systems
In Mwaro Commune, one of Burundi’s key potato-producing regions, farmers face significant challenges in accessing quality seed. Despite the availability of 19 potato varieties at the ISABU research station, many farmers continue to rely on recycled local varieties due to weak linkages within the seed system. This limits farmer choice and productivity, as access to clean, improved seed remains constrained.
At the same time, poultry farmers in the same commune are looking to increase their incomes. Still, they are held back by limited access to improved chicken breeds and reliable technical information.
A market systems approach to reach 10,000 farmers
Using a market systems approach that engages key stakeholders and suppliers across both potato and poultry value chains, FIPS Africa, through RBU 2000+, will work with 100 Village-Based Advisors to reach 10,000 farmers.
Farmers will be supported with improved seed for maize, soya, and beans, as well as access to clean potato seed and improved chicken breeds. The vision is to sustainably increase awareness and access to quality inputs, enabling farmers to improve productivity within the same production area.
These efforts have the potential to increase farmer incomes by over 50%, driven by higher yields, better input use, and stronger market linkages.
Susan Ndung’u, Training Manager at FIPS Africa, highlighted the significance of the partnership:
“RBU 2000+ joining our Community of Practice is an important step for us as we continue to grow our work in Burundi. We have seen how effective the VBA model can be in improving access to quality seed for crops like maize and beans, and we are now building on that foundation to support farmers in other areas such as potatoes, soil health, and poultry. Working with strong local partners allows us to adapt our approach to the local context and deliver more meaningful impact for farmers.”
Strategic significance
This initiative is a key milestone in FIPS Africa’s Small Farms, Big Futures strategy and reflects a shared commitment to strengthening farmer-centred extension systems beyond Kenya, while adapting proven approaches to local contexts.
