They facilities were completed at a cost of Rwf 540 million of which Rwf 184 came from USAID with the rest Rwf 355 million from ENAS.
Jean Damascene Nyirinkindi a resident who spoke on behalf of maize farmers said obstacles in drying their produce would result into post-harvest losses.
“Our cooperative harvests 2000 tons but we have a small drying facility that can keep only 400 tons. The remaining 1600 tons were kept in low standard storage facilities that maize would be exposed to moisture, comprising quality leading to losses,” he said.
The representative of USAID Rwanda, Phina Kayisanabo expressed delight for having funded the project and assured continued partnership with the government in projects improving farmers’ productivity.
ENAS Managing Director, Alfred Nkubiri revealed that the introduction of the store in Kirehe district was fueled by the government of Rwanda’s efforts to promote agriculture through land consolidation policies and introducing irrigation technologies.
He explained that they will work together with different cooperatives to build more stores.
The Director General of Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), Dr. Karangwa Patrick said that the store will reduce maize harvest losses encountered before over lack of proper drying facilities.
“With such projects, we’re assured of improved value chains”, he said.
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