Burundi postgraduate students

Meet Burundi’s next generation of plant health leaders

Skilled scientists and plant health professionals are essential for the successful future of Burundi's plant health system. Through PlantwisePlus, CABI is investing in the next generation of agricultural professionals through postgraduate training and applied research. Meet the students whose work is helping strengthen plant health systems, improve food security, and build a more resilient agricultural future in Burundi.

Meet the students

Neilla Ntawuyankira

Neilla is a plant protection researcher with international training and expertise in crop health, pest management, and agricultural extension. Combining research with farmer outreach, she works to strengthen sustainable crop production systems. Her goal is to generate practical solutions that improve productivity, resilience, and sustainability.

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Title of study: Crop Protection

Research topic: Farm structural changes and implications for microbiome composition and diversity within Burundi’s farming system

University: University of Nairobi

Level of study: Ph.D.

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Neilla Ntawuyankira is a researcher whose work focuses on plant protection, crop health, and sustainable agricultural systems. Her academic and professional experience spans multiple countries, providing her with a diverse perspective on agricultural challenges and solutions.

At ISABU, she has contributed to the identification and management of crop pests and diseases while collaborating with crop improvement programmes to support the development of more resilient seed varieties. Her expertise extends beyond research into farmer support and capacity building.

As a trained Plant Doctor and Master Trainer, Neilla has played a leading role in agricultural outreach initiatives, helping strengthen advisory services and plant clinic networks that provide practical support to farming communities. She is passionate about connecting scientific research with real-world agricultural needs.

Through her work, she aims to promote healthier soils, more resilient farming systems, improved crop productivity, and sustainable ecosystem management that benefits both farmers and the environment.

Ezéchiel Hakizimana

Ezéchiel is a chemist and agricultural researcher specialising in laboratory quality control and pesticide analysis. Passionate about research and scientific standards, he works to strengthen evidence-based agricultural decision-making. He is interested in developing sustainable, safer crop protection approaches that improve productivity.

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Title of study: Chemical Control and Analysis

Research topic: Assessment of pesticide residue levels in amaranthus, eggplants and tomato produced under smallholder production systems in Burundi

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Ezéchiel Hakizimana is a chemist and researcher with expertise in quality control, laboratory analysis, and agricultural monitoring systems. Working at ISABU, he has spent several years supporting the analysis of soil, water, agro-food products, and pesticide applications, helping generate reliable data for agricultural stakeholders across Burundi.

A strong advocate for laboratory excellence, he has contributed to strengthening quality management systems and internal standardisation processes. His commitment to research integrity led him to develop laboratory guidance materials that support best practices and accreditation efforts.

Ezéchiel believes that robust scientific systems are essential to agricultural development and food safety. His interests extend beyond conventional crop protection towards innovative, environmentally responsible solutions. In particular, he hopes to contribute to the future development of biopesticides and biofertilizers that harness Burundi’s natural biodiversity while reducing dependence on harmful chemical inputs. His long-term goal is to support more sustainable and resilient agricultural systems.

Egide Hatungimana

Egide is a phytosanitary specialist with two decades of experience in plant protection, surveillance, diagnostics, and pest management. Having worked across field operations, laboratories, and policy implementation, he is dedicated to strengthening crop protection systems and helping farmers reduce losses.

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Title of study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Research topic: Occurrence, distribution and infestation levels of false codling moth (Thaumatotibia leucotreta) in key value chains in Burundi

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Egide Hatungimana has spent more than twenty years working in Burundi’s plant protection system, building extensive expertise in pest surveillance, diagnostics, phytosanitary regulation, and crop health management. Throughout his career, he has supported farmers through laboratory diagnostics, field investigations, pest monitoring, and the promotion of integrated pest management approaches.

One of his most notable achievements was leading field coordination efforts during a major mango mealybug outbreak, where biological control interventions contributed to the successful recovery of production in affected areas. Experiences such as these have reinforced his belief in sustainable and science-based pest management.

Raised in a farming family, Egide has maintained a strong connection to the realities faced by smallholder producers. He remains committed to strengthening Burundi’s ability to detect, monitor, and manage agricultural threats. His work aims to reduce crop losses, improve productivity, and support resilient farming systems capable of meeting future agricultural challenges.

Gratien Manirakiza

Gratien is an agricultural scientist working within Burundi’s seed certification system, ensuring high-performing seeds are available. With experience in agricultural development, education, and variety evaluation, Gratien is committed to improving farmer access to quality seed. His work focuses on strengthening crop resilience, productivity, and food security through science-based agricultural innovation.

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Title of study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Research topic: Prevalence and spatial distribution of maize lethal necrosis disease in smallholder maize farms across Burundi

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Gratien Manirakiza works at Burundi’s National Office for Seed Control and Certification, where he helps evaluate and validate improved crop varieties before they reach farmers. His role contributes directly to ensuring that high-performing and locally adapted seeds are available within the agricultural sector.

His professional background includes teaching, agricultural development, and collaboration with farmer organisations, providing him with broad experience across agricultural value chains. These experiences deepened his understanding of the challenges farmers face in accessing quality inputs and improving productivity.

Gratien is particularly interested in crop improvement and the role that resilient seed systems can play in addressing food security challenges. He believes that strengthening seed availability and promoting improved varieties are essential steps towards increasing agricultural productivity and climate resilience. Through his work and research, he hopes to contribute to the development of stronger seed systems and more sustainable agricultural production throughout Burundi.

Previously, he spent over a decade with Burundi’s Directorate of Plant Protection, coordinating surveillance activities and managing responses to pests and diseases affecting crops across the country. He also gained private-sector experience supporting biotechnology laboratory operations and healthy planting material production.

His expertise has positioned him at the forefront of efforts to strengthen agricultural safety systems and improve crop protection practices. Passionate about evidence-based decision-making, Eustache is particularly interested in understanding the impacts of pesticide use on farming systems. Through his work, he hopes to help Burundi develop a more productive, sustainable, and internationally competitive agricultural sector.

Michel Manirakiza

Michel is an agricultural professional with expertise spanning education, extension services, training, and regulatory oversight. Throughout his career, he has focused on translating scientific knowledge into practical solutions for farmers. He is committed to strengthening agricultural systems, improving productivity, and supporting sustainable rural development in Burundi.

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Title of study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Research topic: Assessment of pesticide residue levels in eggplant and amaranth grown in Burundi: Implications for local and export markets

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Michel Manirakiza brings more than a decade of experience across agricultural education, extension, training, and public-sector advisory services. His career has been defined by a commitment to connecting scientific knowledge with practical agricultural development.

Beginning as a teacher and later working in agricultural extension, Michel developed strong expertise in farmer training and knowledge transfer. He subsequently held roles supporting provincial advisory services and national programmes focused on agricultural capacity building and innovation dissemination.

Today, his work contributes to regulatory oversight and technical assurance in areas related to pesticide management and food safety. Across each stage of his career, he has focused on improving access to information, strengthening institutional systems, and supporting farmer livelihoods.

Michel believes sustainable agricultural development depends on strong partnerships between research, education, regulation, and farming communities. His long-term goal is to help build more productive, resilient, and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems that improve livelihoods across rural Burundi.

Emmanueline Tuyisenge

Emmanuelline is an agricultural professional specialising in pesticide regulation and quality control. Drawing on both regulatory and field experience, she works to promote safe pesticide use, environmental protection, and improved agricultural practices. She is committed to helping smallholder farmers increase productivity while strengthening food security across Burundi.

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Title of study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Research topic: Analytical evaluation of the quality of pesticides used in the production of amaranthus, eggplants and tomato by smallholder farmers in Burundi

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Emmanuelline Tuyisenge works with Burundi’s regulatory authority for veterinary medicines, pesticides, and food, where she oversees pesticide inspection and quality control activities. Her responsibilities include monitoring pesticide circulation, supporting regulatory compliance, conducting field assessments, and contributing to public awareness initiatives on safe pesticide use.

Raised in rural Burundi, she witnessed the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, including low productivity and limited access to agricultural knowledge. These experiences inspired her to pursue a career dedicated to strengthening agricultural systems and supporting farming communities.

Her work combines regulatory oversight with direct engagement across agricultural value chains, including collaboration with inspectors, agro-dealers, and producers. Through these activities, she contributes to improving pesticide management, protecting public health, and safeguarding the environment.

Emmanuelline’s long-term ambition is to support sustainable agriculture by advancing improved crop varieties and promoting responsible phytosanitary practices that strengthen farmer resilience and national food security.

Jacques Nduwayo

Jacques is a food science professional whose experience spans agro-processing, food safety, and market regulation. Passionate about value addition and post-harvest management, he works to improve food quality standards while supporting agricultural businesses. His vision is a stronger, more self-sufficient agricultural sector that creates economic opportunities.

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Title of study: Food Science and Technology

Research topic: Evaluation of mycotoxin occurrence within the food supply chain in Burundi: A focus on dairy, poultry, and maize products

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Jacques Nduwayo works at Burundi’s Bureau of Standards, where he supports food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance across agricultural markets. His role involves advising businesses, monitoring standards implementation, and helping producers improve practices related to packaging, labelling, and quality assurance.

Prior to entering regulation, Jacques worked in agro-processing enterprises focused on fruit juices, plant-based foods, and nutrition products. These experiences provided valuable insight into the opportunities and challenges facing local agricultural businesses, particularly around value addition and food preservation.

Through both industry and regulatory roles, he has observed how weaknesses in post-harvest management and food safety can limit farmer incomes and market opportunities. He believes that strengthening these systems is critical to agricultural transformation. His long-term goal is to support a more competitive and self-sufficient agricultural sector by promoting food quality, reducing losses, increasing value addition, and expanding opportunities for local producers.

Speciose Sibomana

A food safety and quality assurance specialist, Spéciose works at Burundi’s Bureau of Standards, conducting microbiological analyses to support product certification and consumer safety. With experience spanning both industry and regulation, she is committed to strengthening food security and contributing to Burundi’s sustainable agricultural development.

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Title of study: Food Science and Technology

Research topic: Prevalence and molecular identification of food-borne pathogens in ready-to-eat foods in Burundi

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Spéciose Sibomana is a quality control analyst at Burundi’s Bureau of Standards (BBN), where she supports food safety and certification through microbiological testing of food, water, and other products. Her work helps ensure compliance with national and international quality standards while protecting public health.

Before joining BBN, she spent five years at BRARUDI, Burundi’s leading brewery and beverage company, specialising in water quality control. These experiences have given her strong expertise in laboratory analysis, quality assurance, and certification systems.

With a background in biology and a growing interest in food systems, Spéciose is passionate about strengthening food security in Burundi. She sees food science as an important tool for addressing wider challenges, including agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and economic development. Through her work and research, she hopes to contribute to safer food systems and support sustainable growth within Burundi’s agricultural sector.

Eustache Cimpaye

Eustache is a plant health and pesticide management specialist with experience in regulation, diagnostics, surveillance, and quality assurance. Working across public and private sectors, he is committed to strengthening pesticide governance, and supporting Burundi’s transition towards competitive, market-oriented agriculture.

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Title of study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Research topic: Assessment of pesticide residue contamination in agricultural soils and water sources within smallholder farming communities in Burundi

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Eustache Cimpaye is an experienced agricultural professional whose career spans plant health diagnostics, phytosanitary surveillance, pesticide regulation, and agricultural quality assurance. He currently leads pesticide and plant-origin food inspection and quality control at ABREVPA, where he oversees compliance, product approval processes, and quality standards within Burundi’s agricultural sector.

Eustache Cimpaye

Burundian Regulatory Authority for Veterinary Medicines, Pesticides, and Foods (ABREVPA) | MSc Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, University of Burundi

With more than 10 years of experience in plant health, phytosanitary surveillance and pesticide regulation, Eustache has played a key role in safeguarding Burundi's agricultural systems. As Director of Inspection and Quality Control for Pesticides and Plant-Origin Foods at ABREVPA, he oversees pesticide evaluation and compliance with national standards. He is now building on this experience through a Master's degree at the University of Burundi.

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Research focus: Pesticide Quality and Responsible Use

Research topic: Assessment of Pesticide Residue Contamination in Agricultural Soils and Water Sources within Smallholder Farming Communities in Burundi

Why it matters Agricultural soils and water are essential to crop production, biodiversity and rural livelihoods. However, limited evidence on pesticide contamination makes it difficult to assess environmental risks and promote responsible pesticide use.

Expected impact

Generate baseline data on pesticide residues in soils and water.
Strengthen environmental monitoring and risk assessment in Burundi.
Support science-based pesticide regulation and stewardship.
Contribute to more sustainable agricultural production and environmental protection.

Supervisors: Dr. Philbert Ndacakomeje, University of Burundi; Dr. Joseph Mulema, CAB International (CABI)

"Protecting crops also means protecting the soil and water on which agriculture depends. By generating scientific evidence of pesticide contamination, we can support responsible pesticide use and safeguard the natural resources that sustain Burundi's agriculture."

Innocent Mbazumutima

Innocent is a plant health and diagnostics specialist with extensive experience in laboratory analysis, seed health, and crop protection. Combining research and practical field expertise, he is committed to advancing plant disease detection, strengthening diagnostic systems, and mentoring future agricultural professionals in Burundi.

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Title of study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Research topic: Detection and molecular characterisation of Dickeya and Pectobacterium species in potato in Burundi: Implications for seed certification and disease management

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Innocent Mbazumutima has built a distinguished career in plant health, diagnostics, and crop protection, working across research laboratories and national seed certification systems. For more than a decade, he has supported plant disease diagnosis, seed health testing, and quality assurance activities that contribute to agricultural productivity and resilience.

His professional journey began in plant biotechnology research, where he worked on tissue culture techniques and disease-free planting material production. These experiences sparked a long-term interest in plant pathology and laboratory science, which continues to guide his work today.

Innocent is particularly interested in applying modern diagnostic approaches to improve the detection and management of plant diseases. He sees scientific innovation as essential for protecting crops and supporting sustainable agricultural development. Alongside his technical work, he is committed to mentoring students and sharing knowledge with the next generation of agricultural professionals, helping strengthen local scientific capacity and expertise.

Dismas Nshimirimana

Dismas is a crop protection researcher with extensive experience in entomology and pest management. Raised in a farming family, he is passionate about helping farmers overcome production constraints through science-based solutions. His work focuses on protecting key crops and improving agricultural productivity, resilience, and food security.

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Title of study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Research topic: Characterisation of plant-parasitic nematodes affecting smallholder potato in Burundi

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

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Dismas Nshimirimana is a researcher at ISABU with six years of experience in crop protection and entomology. His work focuses on understanding and managing insect pests that reduce agricultural productivity and threaten farmer livelihoods.

Growing up in a farming family inspired his long-standing commitment to agriculture and provided first-hand insight into the challenges faced by smallholder farmers. These experiences shaped his belief that effective pest management is essential for improving crop yields, food security, and rural incomes.

Throughout his career, Dismas has worked to support agricultural development through research and practical crop protection solutions. He is particularly interested in strengthening Burundi’s capacity to manage emerging pests and diseases that affect staple crops.

His research aims to generate knowledge that can help farmers protect their harvests, access more resilient crop varieties, and improve productivity. Ultimately, he hopes to contribute to a more sustainable and food-secure agricultural sector in Burundi.

Innocent Mbazumutima

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Title of study: Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Research topic: Detection and molecular characterisation of Dickeya and Pectobacterium species in potato in Burundi: Implications for seed certification and disease management

University: University of Burundi

Level of study: M.Sc

Full profile:

Partner with us

The students featured on this page demonstrate the impact of investing in scientific capacity. With support from governments, universities, development partners, and the private sector, we can expand opportunities for postgraduate training, research, and innovation, helping more young scientists strengthen Burundi's agricultural and plant health systems.

Get in touch to learn more.

Joseph Mulema, Senior Scientist

T: +254 (0) 20 2271000/20
E: j.mulema@cabi.org

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What is PlantwisePlus doing in Burundi

PlantwisePlus is working with national partners to strengthen Burundi's plant health system and support more resilient agriculture. The programme improves farmer advisory services, pest surveillance, diagnostics, and safer crop protection while investing in scientific capacity through postgraduate training and applied research. Together, these activities help strengthen food security, protect the environment, and support sustainable economic development.

Why is PlantwisePlus investing in postgraduate training in Burundi?

Who are the students featured on this page?

Why is investing in scientific capacity important?

Which organizations are involved?

The programme supports postgraduate researchers from Burundi's principal plant health institutions, including the Directorate of Plant Protection (DPV), the National Seed Certification and Control Office (ONCCS), the Burundi Plant Protection and Pesticide Regulatory Authority (ABREVPA), the Burundi Bureau of Standards and Quality Control (BBN), and the Institute of Agronomic Sciences of Burundi (ISABU).

How does the research benefit Burundi?

Each research project is aligned with institutional mandates and national priorities and contributes to stronger pest surveillance, diagnostics, food safety, pesticide regulation, and sustainable crop protection. Together, these support Burundi's National Plant Health System, improve agricultural productivity, enhance market access, and contribute to sustainable economic development.

How does this work support Burundi's farmers?

How can my organization get involved?

PlantwisePlus welcomes partnerships with governments, universities, research organizations, development partners, and the private sector. By supporting postgraduate training, collaborative research, and scientific capacity, partners can help develop the next generation of plant health leaders and strengthen Burundi's National Plant Health System. To discuss partnership opportunities, please get in touch with Joseph Mulema j.mulema@cabi.org

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Burundi postgraduate students

Meet Burundi’s next generation of plant health leaders

Meet the students

Partner with us

Find out more

What is PlantwisePlus doing in Burundi

Why is PlantwisePlus investing in postgraduate training in Burundi?

Who are the students featured on this page?

Why is investing in scientific capacity important?

Which organizations are involved?

How does the research benefit Burundi?

How does this work support Burundi's farmers?

How can my organization get involved?

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