Adaptation strategies, policies, plans and objectives, and actions to integrate adaptation into national policies and strategies

The Government of Burundi is committed to adapting to climate change in line with the global adaptation goal of building capacity for adaptation, increasing resilience to climate change and reducing vulnerability to climate change, with a view to contributing to sustainable development and ensuring a response
adequate adaptation in the context of the temperature target set out in Article 2 of the Paris Agreement.
The following paragraphs contain some concrete adaptation actions that are being implemented and which at the same time meet the imperatives of sustainable development for the Burundian population.

I) Agriculture and livestock sector

In the area of agriculture, much effort has been made to develop and evaluate new varieties of food crops with high yield and nutritional potential and resilient to climate change. To this end, 134 varieties of different crops adapted to the different agro-ecological zones have been approved including:
36 varieties of maize; 40 varieties of rice; 5 varieties of cotton; 11 varieties of cassava 4 varieties of patchouli; 11 varieties of beans; 18 varieties of sugar cane; 6 varieties of chilli; 1 millet variety and 7 barley varieties; 12 certified bio-fortified varieties (9 varieties of carotene-rich corn and 3 varieties of sweet orange-bellied potato).
The production and diffusion of quality seeds adapted to climatic hazards reached 2,155 tonnes of dry seeds (13.5 tonnes of wheat, 976 tonnes of bean, 140 tonnes of hybrid maize, 672 tonnes of composite maize, 342 tonnes of rice and 7 tonnes of soybean) and 3160 tonnes of potatoes in 2022.
Another important step in adapting to climate change in Burundi is the development of marshes and lowlands. By 2022, the managed marshes covered an area of 17,474 ha and the latter was expected to reach 23,474 ha by 2060.

With regard to livestock farming, the Government has promoted permanent stocking in order to protect climate-sensitive crop cover and livestock rearing in order to address the shortage of fodder following the projected extension of the dry season (information provided by DGEREA, 2024).

II) Ecosystem and Landscape Sector

Efforts have been made to create and ensure sustainable management of protected areas with an estimated current area of 157,926 ha and an estimated 202,203 ha by 2060.

III) Water Resources Sector

Watershed management has mobilized many of Burundi's internal and external resources. According to data collected from MINEAGRIE, the area of watersheds developed in 2021 was 20,717 ha and is expected to reach 184,491 ha by 2060.

IV) Health sector

Malaria is one of the main diseases associated with the effects of climate change and is the leading cause of morbi-mortality. Much effort is being made by the Government to support people in the fight against this disease through awareness-raising on hygiene and sanitation and the distribution of Impregnant Mosquitoes from Insecticides in Long Term Action (MILDA). The situation will probably be improved with the application of the first vaccine against this disease, starting this year.

V) Cross-cutting areas

Public awareness of climate change is one of the priority actions of the Government of Burundi. According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Communication, Information Technology and Media (2024), « The level of concern about climate change is high among
respondents (87.8%). This is likely due to changes in most communities that are observed by respondents, in particular the increase in dry season duration and the heavy rains that destroy crops.
Only 46.7% of respondents reported having received information on climate change in the last three months. However, a large majority (99%) are interested in receiving climate change information and education40
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Table of Budgets by Sector