UNION OF COOPERATIVES OF MUTOYI

Born in the late 1980 s, "the Union des co coopératives Mutoyi", founded by a religious community in Milan and managed by Italian volunteers, promotes and markets agricultural and artisanal products whose quality is renowned.

A symbol of a successful rural development experience, the co-operative is known for poultry farming (chicks are entrusted to the farmers who raise them and then benefit from the sale of eggs and chickens, organised in Mutoyi stores), as well as for its vegetables. The chickens are plump, and the name'Mutoyi'has even been given to young girls who are barely trained for women.

What is often more interesting for visitors is the pottery made to the cooperative whose models are not at all similar to traditional black and brown pottery. These are painted vases, cups or plates (blue, green, orange), with geometric motifs recognizable between all. They have a great success with foreign expatriates and tourists.

In July 2014, at the national agricultural fair, Mutoyi was ranked first as the best association in the field of agriculture.

The headquarters of the co-operative is in Gitega, its production activities are concentrated towards Mutoyi, and marketing in Bujumbura (Magasins and Kigobe stores). In Mutoyi even there is a cooperative store, but less frequented.