Rusizi District Steps In: Plans to Purchase Unsold Rice from Bugarama

Rusizi district has announced that this Sunday, August 18, 2024, the rice that has been missing the market for days in the Bugarama Valley will be bought by a cross-border trading company in collaboration with Rusizi Industries.

Dr. Anicet KIBIRIGA, the district’s mayor, reported that 850 tonnes of rice were in the field, while the other 3000 tonnes were stored by cooperatives.

He testified that a meeting was held among the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), and the Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC), to address the issue of the loss of rice consumers nationwide.

He said, “We held a meeting with the cross-border trading company yesterday; now we are going to the Muganza sector, shipping rice to farmers and directly paying them.”

This issue was reiterated by President Kagame when he received the oaths of the Prime Minister and Deputies on August 14, 2024.

President Kagame said that while he was reading the news on social media, he observed Western Province residents complaining about their tons of decayed rice because of a shortage of buyers.

He pointed out that leaders should assist in addressing high production issues when there are no markets, as they encourage residents to farm.

He emphasized the challenges faced by individuals in farming and producing, stating that they have put in effort, used money, and volunteered to fulfill their daily tasks.

He said, “They are people who have problems: to farm, to produce; they have given their efforts; they have used their money; they have volunteered; and they are doing what we trained them to do, what we ask them to do every day.”

Currently, there are over 23,000 tonnes of unsold rice nationwide. In the 2024 B crop season, Bugarama harvested 7000 tonnes but sold 2150 tonnes.