On Thursday, September 17, 2020, the President of the Republic Evariste Ndayishimiye inaugurated the demonstration center for agropastoral technologies in Burundi located in Mpanda in the province of Bubanza. This center was built with funding from the People's Republic of China, with the mission of providing training to students on the multiplication of improved seeds, especially hybrid rice.

After a guided visit to this pilot center and the signature in the guest book, the President of the Republic indicated that China has been a friend of Burundi for a long time.

Evariste Ndayishimiye warmly thanked China for its support in development work and above all, he welcomed its bilateral cooperation both in the difficult times that Burundi has experienced, and in the best situations. He further noted that the construction of this center once again testifies to the strengthening of the friendship between China and Burundi.

The Head of State recalled that the Government of Burundi has put forward the revitalization and modernization of the agricultural and livestock sector. He welcomed the fact that this center was responding to the concerns of Burundians.

He added that this center is an eloquent sign that China is supporting Burundi in its national policy. The Head of State also noted that Chinese experts will strengthen the capacities of Burundian technicians in order to multiply improved hybrid rice seeds. “Production will increase and each citizen will have a surplus to sell,” said Evariste Ndayishimiye.

The Head of State did not fail to salute the bravery and courage of the Ambassador of China to Burundi Li Changlin. According to him, he is a nice interlocutor who understood the Confucius quote: “It is necessary for man to teach him to fish than to give him fish.”

The Chinese Ambassador to Burundi Li Changlin for his part, said that this center was set up to popularize Chinese techniques in the agricultural and livestock sector. As China has remained a safe and reliable partner for Burundi, Li Changlin said that this center will contribute to improving the living conditions of the population and China will place the agro-pastoral sector in the first position in its program.

The Chinese ambassador to Burundi said that the agricultural development program and its implementation schedule will soon be established, adding that China's interventions may also extend to the development of livestock.