13/01/2012 (Bloomberg) - Burundi’s government plans to increase its agriculture budget to boost food production in the East African nation, Renouveau reported, citing Gervais Rufyikiri, the second vice president.

Spending will increase to 45.9 billion francs ($33.4 million) in 2012 from 43.2 billion francs last year, the state- owned Bujumbura-based newspaper said.

The state will also provide a 2 billion-franc subsidy to the Strategic Food Security Fund, which will be used to provide loans to farmers, and plans to expand palm-oil plantations and irrigation projects in the country, it said.

Funds have also been set aside to help purchase 5,500 metric tons of fertilizers for growers, Renouveau said.