Experts Sought: Innovative Irrigation and Rainwater Collection in Burundi
In a bid to enhance agricultural sustainability and water conservation, a new initiative focusing on smart irrigation and rainwater harvesting systems is underway in Burundi. The project, which is part of larger efforts to improve water use efficiency and drought resilience in the East Africa region, aims to introduce climate-resilient water management solutions at the Karusi cooperative center in Burundi.
The technical assistance opportunity for this initiative is currently open, with relevant tender calls active as of mid-2025. National open tender No. DNCMP/158/S/2024-2025, related to smart irrigation and rainwater harvesting projects in Burundi, has key tender submissions due in June 2025, with deadlines specifically around June 13 and June 17, 2025, indicating very recent or ongoing procurement processes.
The initiative focuses on innovative water management techniques such as capturing and storing excess rainwater for irrigation, which is crucial given Burundi’s water resource challenges. Smart irrigation and rainwater harvesting are expected to play a significant role in maximizing water availability, especially in regions with seasonal rainfall variability, as seen in Burundi.
The project's scope includes the design and installation of an integrated IoT-based water management system. This system will help monitor and manage water resources more effectively, ensuring that agriculture-dependent areas like Karusi province in Burundi can face worsening water insecurity.
Community engagement is a key part of the project's approach in Burundi. By educating and equipping local communities with the knowledge and skills to operate and maintain these systems, the project aims to foster a sustainable and self-reliant water management system.
Capacity building and knowledge transfer for system operation and maintenance is also part of the project in Burundi. This will ensure that the local communities can continue to benefit from these systems even after the project's completion.
The project's focus on smart irrigation and rainwater harvesting aligns with regional climate adaptation efforts to boost agricultural sustainability and water conservation in Burundi and neighbouring countries. The project is also expected to contribute to the enhancement of drought resilience and sustainable water use in the region.
For procurement participation or detailed project plans, interested parties should follow the specific tender notices referenced in June 2025 and monitor local project platforms for updates. More information about this initiative can be found on the UN Global Market Place (UNGM) and the UN website.
[1] [Climate-Smart Agriculture in Burundi: Opportunities and Challenges](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/336368954_Climate-smart_agriculture_in_Burundi_Opportunities_and_Challenges) [2] [Climate-Smart Agriculture in Southern Zimbabwe](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6685624/) [3] [Smart Irrigation and Rainwater Harvesting in Burundi: Tender Opportunities](https://www.tendersinfo.com/tenders/burundi/smart-irrigation-and-rainwater-harvesting-in-burundi-tender-opportunities/) [4] [Rainwater Harvesting: A Global Perspective](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128138235000057)
- The smart irrigation and rainwater harvesting project in Burundi, aimed at improving water use efficiency, aligns with global climate adaptation efforts in environmental science.
- With the introduction of climate-resilient water management solutions, the project in Burundi's Karusi cooperative center will leverage data and cloud computing for an integrated IoT-based system to maximize water availability.
- As part of the project, smart home devices like gadgets for monitoring and managing water resources will be implemented to ensure agricultural sustainability in the home-and-garden sector.
- By educating communities on the operation and maintenance of these systems, the initiative promotes the use of artificial intelligence and gardening techniques to establish a sustainable water management system.
- The project's focus on climate-change mitigation strategies such as smart irrigation and rainwater harvesting will contribute to regional drought resilience and sustainable water use, positively impacting lifestyles and the environment.
