Irish potato growers Irish potatoes in Nyabihu district are optimistic that the establishment of a processing factory by Nyabihu Potato Company will enable them add value on their produce and efficiently manage post-harvest handling.
The Minister of Industry and Trade, François Kanimba who presided over the inauguration of the factory said the factory will go a long way in curtailing losses farmers used to experience as their produce could perish after a short while.
The factory was constructed at a cost of Rwf 780 million.
Farmers said the intervention shall as well help in the stabilization of Irish potato prices, unlike in the past where farm-gate prices were at lowest.
“We would face losses where one kilogram of potato would sometimes fetch Rwf 90. However, it is currently sold at Rwf 210 which envisages increased value to farmers,” said Ntirenganya Innocent, a farmer.
Kanimba advised farmers to acquire trainings on modern potato farming and shift from traditional methods to ably feed the established factory which, he anticipated, shall as well provide job opportunities to people in various fields.
Nyabihu Potato Company will process potatoes into chips, with capacity of processing 500 kilograms per hour. Construction activities started in September 2014 in by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with European Union and Netherlands government.
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