Aspects zootechniques de l'élevage bovin laitier au Burundi: Présent et futur

In Burundi, more than 90% of the population makes a living from crop and animal agriculture. However, the country is still suffering from famine due to the 1993 civilian war. In spite of the smallholders'long experience in breeding, the cattle population decreased because of the population growth which progressively requires extra-available natural pasture for cultures. The 1993 crisis accentuated the decrease of the dairy cattle population. Attempts in improving the situation failed also because of the lack of financial support to specialised institutions like the Institute of Agronomic Sciences in Burundi (ISABU). Currently, the security has improved with the establishment of democratic institutions. The rehabilitation of rural households is going on with the cattle breeding reestablishment. Consequently, the need for improved cows is progressively increasing. The 1993 war has also disturbed breeding activities in the Institute of Agronomic Sciences in Burundi stations and other breeding projects. Currently, these institutions are unable to satisfy farmers' needs for improved cows and their follow-up. The objective of this paper is to describe the bovine breeding activities in Burundi and in two stations of the Institute of Agronomic Science in Burundi (Mahwa and Rukoko).