Tomatoes to Play Bigger Role in African Country’s Economy
By Michelle Fabio
After a decade of civil war, the East African country of Burundi is looking to tomatoes to help get its economy back on track.
Thanks to a $3 million United States project known as J.L. Limited (John Leopold Limited), Bujumbara, Burundi’s capital city should see work begun on a brand new tomato paste company before the end of the year.
The project, made up of twenty local organizations that grow rice and tomatoes, would give the region its first opportunity to preserve the many tomatoes grown locally; each year, Burundi produces 250 tons of tomatoes, which are harvested year round.
In 1997, research by the California Tomato Growers Institute concluded that Burundi provides excellent tomato-growing conditions rivaling those of the Mediterranean region, noted for its own exceptional tomatoes. Through J.L. Limited, Burundi would be able to better benefit from the tomatoes it produces by keeping and preserving them in the area.
The project is said to be supported by the Bujumbura government and the French Ambassador to Burundi also said he was prepared to offer his backing, which are both extremely positive signs for the success of the new undertaking.
