Enjoying the fruits of their labours: Market gardens improve food security for Burundian communities

The RFS Burundi project, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock with support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), is providing essential skills and technical knowledge in soil and water conservation. Farmer field schools have served as the primary platform for introducing communities to new techniques and practise, including contour planting with fruit trees, stabilising riverbanks with bamboo and, most recently, planting market gardens in their own backyard. Market gardens produce fruit and vegetables on a small scale, primarily for household use. These gardens put much-needed food on the table and provide a direct avenue for improving community food and nutrition security. They also provide an essential source of income for families who sell their surplus produce to local markets.