Gatsibo Residents Call for Maize Market to Secure Livelihoods

Residents of Gatsibo District say they are experiencing difficulties such as a lack of school fees and medical expenses due to the loss of the market for their maize production.

The announcement was made on September 25, 2024, during the launch of the 2025 A crop season in the district. The regional crop season, initiated in the Gitoki Sector in Rwangingo Swamp, spans over 300 hectares and is primarily planted with corn seeds.

The residents say that although they are encouraged to grow maize when harvesting, they lose the market for their produce, leading to financial losses, as one of the Gatsibo residents, Theresa Bantegeye stated.

She said, “We are indeed encouraged to grow corn, but when it is ripe, there is no market; we sell it for a small amount, and you find that you are not able to get what you need at home; you will not be able to pay for your child’s school or pay for medical insurance.”

She continued by requesting the district administration to identify a market for the production of maize, as they already have sufficient production.

Jean Claude Habumuremyi also suggests finding a corn market or allowing them to grow profitable crops like sorghum. He explained that they previously grew sorghum for income, but the administration has now requested them to grow corn.

He stated that a suitable market for the corn crop at the right time would eliminate any obstacles to its growth, “We would be able to happily grow corn without any obstacles.”

Mr. Jean Leonard Sekanyange, the Gatsibo district’s vice mayor in charge of economic affairs, assured residents that the previous year’s corn market shortage would not occur again due to early preparations and the government’s willingness to buy produce and engage with traders in case of shortages.

In the 2025 A crop season, in Gatsibo District, the maize crop will be planted on 26,000 hectares, with over 13,000 hectares already planted.