Risk Assessment in Paddy Rice Cultivation: The Case of Gihanga, Burundi.

This study was carried out in the Imbo plain of the Gihanga region in Burundi. The primary objective of this research is to analyze the main risks associated with rice production. To achieve the study's objectives, face-to-face surveys were conducted using the KoboCollect application. Once the surveys were completed, a statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 25, and the Fine-Kinney method has been used to assess the severity of the identified risks. The results reveal that rice cultivation is predominant in Gihanga, with an average production of 3,878.95 kg per enterprise and per year. The average area allocated for rice cultivation was 1.4 hectares. The risks observed in the examined farms, with severity values exceeding 400, include drought, lack of agricultural insurance, plant diseases, inadequate irrigation infrastructure, and limited access to quality inputs. Major challenges identified include difficulties in accessing financial resources, insufficient agricultural oversight, and poor water management. On the other hand, in Imbo, it was found that the semi-intensive production system of small farms neither weakened nor strengthened their competitive advantage. It is imperative to consider agricultural risks when making production decisions, and the formulation of policies aimed at developing the rice sector is strongly recommended.