Various farmers from Bugarama valley have said that the farm gate prices for their produce are so low compared to the inputs they do apply, including fertilizers, efforts expended and the gestation period.
Farmers made the appeal to parliamentarians on a tour to identify citizens’ challenges and make advocacy.
“We cultivate and get good harvests. However; we are challenged by the low prices,” said Joviane Ndabahimye.
Uwamariya Verena, another rice farmer also said that they have a good harvest but the prices are dissapponting.
The development comes at time since Rusizi district leadership in collaboration with rice farmers’ cooperatives and industries processing rice put a ceiling of Rwf 270 down from Rwf 272 per kg.
Léoncie Kankindi, the deputy mayor of Rusizi district said that the prices set are based on the initial price of the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
A parliamentarian, Mwiza Espérance said that they are going to embark on talks with cooperatives to understand the issue deeply and address it accordingly.
“Farmers have demonstrated how their efforts do not fully get compensated through the farm-gate prices. We are continuing to tour other locations so that we will sit together with cooperatives to hear how they can resolve the matter,” she said.
Bugarama valley in which cooperatives of farmers grow rice covers an area of 1500 hectares.
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