4th International Congress Hidden Hunger

Hidden hunger and the transformation of food systems: How to combat the double burden of malnutrition?

February 27 - March 1, 2019

University of Hohenheim,

Stuttgart, Germany

SPECIAL FSC SESSION “Burundi” on the Hidden Hunger Congress

SPECIAL SESSION of the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection, Baden-Württemberg (MLR), University of Burundi, Food Security Center (University of Hohenheim), and the University of Applied Sciences Rottenburg “Burundi" on the 4th International Congress Hidden Hunger at the University of Hohenheim was organized by the Burundi Competence Centre of the Baden-Württemberg Development Cooperation Foundation (SEZ).

Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world and almost half of the households in this East African country suffer from extreme poverty. Food insecurity in Burundi is twice as high as in other sub-Saharan African countries. 1.7 million people, almost one-sixth of the total population, suffer from food insecurity.

The country is rich in natural resources that could help alleviate poverty, as Professor Pascal Nkurunziza of the Université du Burundi emphasized. However, agriculture is the most important sector, accounting for four-fifths of the population. Wood is almost the only source of energy used by the people of Burundi. The result is erosion and degradation of the soil, which loses its fertility. But deforestation has even more far-reaching consequences, underlined Professor Heidi E. Megerle from the Rottenburg University of Applied Forestry.

International experts gathered for the SPECIAL SESSION “Burundi 4th International Congress Hidden Hunger” to discuss these issues and jointly look for possible solutions. According to the experts, afforestation and agroforestry could be a possible approach, but above all more and better educated people. According to Aloys Misago, development partnerships with universities and other research institutions, but also with private companies, are also helpful.

The state of Baden-Württemberg has had a partnership with Burundi for many years. Among other things, the state wants to support initiatives for women living in rural regions.