Rwandan apiculture practitioners (beekeepers) have been introduced to new technology that will enable them increase quality production, attract investors and access to markets.
In a general assembly of Rwandan Cooperatives of Beekeepers (FERWACAPI), delegates have signed a memorandum of understanding with a company making technology programs ‘Medmasoft’, to market their activities, look for sponsors, markets, investors and other requirements for the progress of apiculture in Rwanda.
The president of FERWACAPI Nzabonimpa Anselme has revealed that adopting technologies in marketing their honey is meant to solve challenges that usually hampered beekeepers. “We have signed the MoU with Medimasoft makers to enable bee keepers and honey harvesters to use new technologies explore opportunities on the global market instead of waiting for aid and handouts,” he said.
“All people’s activities are evolving; we cannot leave beekeepers behind. They must use technologies at different levels of production including access to markets through their ‘B2B Cooperative.com’ website,” he added.
Rutagengwa Hervé, the director of ‘Medmasoft’ said “People seek information regarding needed services on internet before buying. We have committed to collaborate with the association so that they can post on the website what equipments they need, stocks at hand, their production processes and procedures to ease international audits for quality and eventually attract interested investors.”
Nsabimana Deus, a resident of Burera district commended the agreement saying it will boost markets unlike the past where activities were not recognized over the lack of appropriate tool to communicate their achievements, adding it will go a long way in accessing global markets.
The MoU has been signed at a time when Rwanda is preparing to host the international beekeepers summit in September 2016.
theophile@igihe.rw
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