Analysis of the Impact of Patchouli Cultivation on Rural Household Income in Burundi

This article aimed to show the potential to economically promote the essential oil sector in Burundi with a view to contributing to improving the standard of living of rural households. We have already referred to those operating patchouli cultivation in the province of Cibitoke. Data were collected from 94 patchouli-producing households chosen randomly and purposively. The statistical analysis of the data showed that the contribution of patchouli income to the agricultural income of the farmers surveyed is non-negligible via its average contribution amounted to 11.4% to the total income of rural households and this crop itself occupies 3rd place after banana contributed 31% and cassava with a rate of 19%. In order to study the existing links between the overall income of rural households with the income coming from the different practicable income-generating crops, we used the estimation of the Pearson correlation coefficient test and the results obtained showed us that the model is overall significant because certain variables are statistically and positively significant and interpretable while the other variables are statistically positive but are not significant. It is appropriate for the stakeholders involved to take appropriate measures to achieve the valorization of the essential oil sector in Burundi because it has been observed that it plays a significant role in human life.