Kamonyi: Rice Farmers rejoice 70% stake in the Rice Processing Plant
Photo: Intyoza Media
Mukunguri wetland Rice farmers in Kamonyi District in the Southern Province have expressed their joy that they have now become investors after placing a 70% stake in the Rice Processing Plant.
As many as 2198 rice farmers in Mugina and Nyamiyaga Sectors in Kamonyi District and those in Kinazi Sector in Ruhango District, are grateful that the Mukunguri wetland helps them solve various social problems since the harvest has been increasing time to time.
They said they are proud to be investors in the rice processing plant, where they own more than 70% of the shares.
Donatira Yandagiye, 65, lives in Kinazi Sector in Ruhango District but grows rice in the Kamonyi wetland area says she has been in rice farming business for more than 40 years adding that most of her achievements are due to the marshland.
“The first time I bought a cow, I raised my children and paid school fees for all six of them. I built two houses, and I have set a pledge of what I have to achieve every year.” She says
“Agriculture has benefited me, I am old but I am still farming.” She adds
“We grow rice and give it to our Cooperative, they refine it in our investment factory,” Yandagiye explains.
The Mukunguri wetland connects Kamonyi and Ruhango Districts in the Southern Province of Rwanda.
Farmers are grouped into 13 rice farming zones with an area of about 700 hectares. However, due to the growing disasters affecting the wetland, the area under production is estimated at about 400 hectares.
Mugenzi Ignace, President of COOPRORIZ-ABAHUZABIKORWA Cooperative, confirms that the 2198 members, both those from Kamonyi and Ruhango, have all made great strides in solving their daily problems and building Cooperatives activities.
He revealed that they work together to ensure that no member has any problem, and that they are born to find a solution together.
Mugenzi told Intyoza News Website that being in the Cooperative of Rice Farmers helped them to raise their profile, to find a market of their produce, where in the past everyone was selling as they felt and wherever they wanted and cheaply.
He asserts that the merger helped them consolidate, setting up a processing plant to add value to the produce, where they own 71% of the total shares.
“We are no longer worried about where to sell our produce because we have a market in our own factory and the factory helps us to get good seeds as a Cooperative.” He noted
