Legumes help to cope with climate change in Burundi

In Burundi, only 13.4% of the population lives in urban areas and the economy is mainly based on rainfed agriculture. The typical Burundian meal consists of sweet potatoes, corn, rice, beans, and peas. Due to its high cost, meat is often eaten only a few times a month, making the population heavily dependent on legumes as an important source of protein.

The Great Lakes region is home to rich biodiversity that is increasingly threatened by deforestation for agricultural purposes. Soil degradation and climate change also threaten agricultural production. Changes in rainfall patterns lead to shorter rainy seasons and more frequent droughts, which are especially harmful to crops prone to fungal diseases such as corn, beans, and sweet potatoes.

Many farmers in Burundi are in a downward spiral of depleted soils and financial difficulties. Legumes are essential to mitigate the effects of climate change and population growth because they have a high protein content and can grow in nutrient-poor soils. The genetic diversity of wild and cultivated legumes is crucial to cope with the future changing climate and increasing demand for food.

During this project, farmers, researchers and students will be trained in collecting, identifying and storing seeds of different varieties and species of legumes. The climate resistance of these legumes is tested through field and laboratory tests. Experiments are set up in different locations to evaluate the performance of different legumes under different climate conditions.