According to the IPC Chronic Food Insecurity classification: 

• 21% of the total population in Burundi are facing severe chronic food insecurity (IPC Level 4);
• 29% moderate chronic food insecurity (IPC Level 3); 
• 25% mild chronic food insecurity (IPC Level 2), and 
• 25% co chronic food insecurity (IPC Level 1). 

The provinces of Bubanza, Cankuzo, Karusi, Kirundo, Kayanza, Muramvya, Muyinga, Ngozi, Rutana and Ruyigi are at level 4, while the remaining provinces are at level 3.

The underlying factors of chronic food insecurity in Burundi are very critical. Considering that 90% of the population rely on agriculture, the availability of agricultural land is a limitation because the national average area is 0.5 ha per household, with provinces that have a density exceeding 400 inhabitants per km². Poverty in Burundi established by ISTEEBU in 2014 indicates that 58.3% of the population is classified as poor and that individual monetary poverty is 64.6%. The same report indicates that 72.7% of expenditure is allocated to food, while sources of income are limited and very little diversified. 

The results of the IPC Chronic Food Insecurity analysis will remain valid for next 3 to 5 years, in the absence of any structural changes.

• Agricultural production provides only 65% of food availability requirements, less than 50% for cereals and pulses
• Food access is particularly limited due to high prices of staple foods, which have risen by more than 40% over the 10-year period
• Scarce availability of agricultural land (national average of 0.5 ha per household)
• Limited and scarcely diversified sources of income

Recommendations for decision making 

• Strengthening research stations and seed centers in the promotion of more efficient and nutritious agricultural varieties;
• Establishment of a national subsidy program for quality seeds (potatoes, maize, beans and wheat);
• The improvement of the nutritional value of food products through fortification of seeds and agri-food products;
• Public awareness of nutrition education, introduction of nutrition programs in schools and raise awareness about family planning;
• Promotion and strengthening of value chains and market of agricultural and livestock products;
• Strengthening of public and private partnerships in increasing agricultural and livestock production;
• Improvement of access to agricultural credit and establishing a guarantee fund for agricultural investment;
• Development, rehabilitation and increase of water sources and supply for drinking water.

Recommendations for further steps in the analysis

• Ensuring the correct relay between the analysis of the situation and that of the response, a prototype analysis of the response was carried out alongside the review of the analysis carried out in August 2016, lessons learned can be capitalized to succeed in the analysis of the proposed response.
• Where data availability allows it and for provinces that have more disparity within them, provide for analysis at the municipal level or at the level of livelihood zones (Natural regions) in order to highlight particular features hidden by the general photo of the province in terms of hronic food insecurity and its root causes. 
• Encourage information providers to take account of natural areas and municipalities in sampling and reporting, so that the following chronic analysis is generalized at the communal level as a unit analysis, or by natural region. 

The next IPC Chronic Food Insecurity Analysis of Burundi will take place in 2019.