🌿 From Wasteland to Farmland: How Our Organic Fertilizer is Reviving Abandoned Soils in Burundi

On of Our Product🌾 A Story of Restoration: From Abandonment to Abundance

In the province of Bujumbura, a 1/2 hectare plot had been left untouched for over 10 years. The soil was too dry, hard, and depleted to support even the most resilient crops, Local farmers had given up, Eucalyptus trees once considered resilient species for degraded soils had failed to grow beyond 2 meters in height, even after more than six years; the trunks showed no significant development, and the surrounding land remained no healthy. This highlighted the severity of the soil degradation and the urgent need for a holistic, nutrient-based restoration solution.

In just six months, the application of our land restoration techniques combining locally adapted knowledge with simple technology-based fertilizer production transformed abandoned, unproductive land into fertile, productive farmland.

In just six months, our land restoration model integrating community knowledge with simple, technology-enabled fertilizer production transformed abandoned, nutrient-poor land into fertile, productive farmland. The soil, once considered lifeless even for resilient species like eucalyptus, responded rapidly to our organic inputs made from local ressources. we applied tailored interventions that restored soil structure, improved water retention, and revived biological activity. What was once unusable land is now supporting crops and livelihoods, proving that regenerative, low-cost solutions can reverse even the most severe land degradation in rural communities.

crops from demostration garden

On just half a hectare of previously abandoned land, where no crops had succeeded for years, we planted maize using our organic fertilizer and regenerative land restoration techniques. Within a single growing season, the harvest reached an impressive 3 metric tons a remarkable outcome for land once considered barren. This success demonstrates the power of combining community-based practices with simple, nature-based technologies. By enriching the soil with composted animal manure, crop residues, and forest-based organic matter, we restored fertility, improved moisture retention, and boosted plant health. This result shows that even degraded soils can be revitalized for food production and livelihoods.

Community Garden

In addition to the restored demonstration plot, increased production was also recorded across other areas cultivated by women-led cooperatives, who are among our key beneficiary clients. These cooperatives, trained and supported by PVC Burundi, applied the same organic fertilizer and land restoration techniques. As a result, crop yields improved significantly, soil health indicators increased, and farming conditions became more resilient to climate shocks. The success confirms that our model is scalable and replicable across multiple communities. By equipping women with tools, knowledge, and regenerative inputs, we are not only restoring degraded land but also strengthening livelihoods and local food systems.

It is not only about land restoration, but a revolution of agricultural value chains—restoring soils, forests, and livelihoods. By regenerating ecosystems and strengthening rural economies, we are transforming how food is grown, processed, and marketed in harmony with nature. This is climate action rooted in the land and led by communities.