Agricultural season - Burundi's main agricultural season for 2011has seen a 3% rise in production compared with 2010.

However, this is not enough to offset the food deficit estimated at some 61,800 tonnes of cereals, official sources in Bujumbura said on Tuesday.

A detailed report said total production for the season was estimated at some 792,006 tonnes, as against 767,152 tonnes in 2010 with the biggest increase of 6% in the cereals group.

The major agricultural season normally starts in January and yields good  harvests in beans, peas, rice, sorghum, banana and sweet patatoes.

The improvement of the season's production means the country is protected against food shortages for the last semester of 2011.

Burundi should import more than 61,800 tonnes of cereals to offset the deficit of local production.

Pana 10/08/2011