Filling the Rice Bowl
Chinese agricultural experts in Burundi promote hybrid rice, significantly boosting local production and food security
Amagnitude-8.0 earthquake hit Wenchuan in southwest China’s Sichuan Province on May 12, 2008, sowing devastation and causing many casualties. When the earthquake struck, Luo Shide, a soil and fertilizer expert, was working at the Agricultural Bureau of Beichuan County, one of the most affected areas. Surviving the earthquake and taking part in the reconstruction work were a life changing experience for Luo.
“I witnessed the great changes that took place in Beichuan and I am grateful to the Chinese Government and the citizens of my country for their support. That’s how I decided [in future] to do my best to help those in need,” Luo told Chinafrica.
In September 2014, 52-year-old Luo followed through on his promise: He applied to participate in the assistance mission for Africa of the then Ministry of Agriculture of China (now Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China). After many rounds of selections, Luo finally fulfilled his wish and became a member of the third group of agricultural experts to be dispatched to Burundi.
“The world has supported the reconstruction of Beichuan County after it was hit by the disaster. Now, we are the ones who will send experts to help Africans,” Qu Yongan, head of Beichuan County said on November 20, 2015, the day of Luo Shide’s departure to Burundi.
According to Luo, his first task was to understand agricultural conditions in Burundi, including soil characteristics and fertilizers. In doing so, he became aware of the need to increase rice production capacity to promote agricultural development and increase local farmers’ incomes.
Thanks to its tropical climate, Burundi is a country with abundant sunshine and water resources, as well as a stable average temperature. The climate is therefore very