Burundi has showcased measures to prevent environmental degradation while its growing population continues to practice intensive agriculture.

The Daily Monitor, Uganda reports on a 5-day visit to Burundi by environmental experts from Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda who saw firsthand how the small landlocked country has managed to mobilize farmers and taught them about soil erosion measures, particularly growing trees on hills and slopes.

Burundi is the second most densely populated county in Africa and 90 per cent of its population is small-scale subsistence farmers.

“The agroforestry component and community involvement are strong points they have used, and contributing to the watersheds that provide tributaries feeding into major rivers that supply water to Lake Victoria,” said Simon Akwetaireho, community development specialist with the water and environment ministry.

“We have learnt a lot of lessons here, especially how the government and the people are addressing environmental challenges,” added Agnes Tobterik, a director in Kenya’s State Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The visit was part of the Lake Victoria Environmental Management Project (LVEMP-II)

Read the full story: Farmers at centre of environment conservation