Gicumbi Dairy Farmers Demand Payment From IAKIB Cooperative Two Years After Supplying Milk

Dairy farmers in Gicumbi District who supplied milk to the IAKIB Cooperative in 2023 say they have spent two years waiting to be paid, with many claiming their lives and livelihoods have been severely affected by the continued delays. They say the money they expected from the cooperative was meant to support their families, invest in farming, and sustain daily needs, but the prolonged wait has instead pushed many into financial distress.

Murerwa Saverine from Kamutora Cell in Rushaki Sector is among the affected farmers. She says the cooperative owes her payment for milk she delivered over an extended period and that the delay has disrupted her family’s welfare. “We depended on this money for daily survival  our children’s education, food, and family needs. It has now been two years without payment. Many people have been pushed backwards financially and some even lost their cows because they could no longer afford to take care of them,” Murerwa said.

Like her, other farmers who supplied milk to IAKIB in 2023 say the cooperative has failed to provide clear answers. Emmanuel Nkurunziza from Manyagiro Sector says what they hoped would be a partnership for development has instead become a source of hardship. “We trusted IAKIB because we were promised support as members. But later we felt abandoned. We have sought explanations several times but nothing concrete has come out. Life is becoming harder and we are asking authorities to intervene,” Nkurunziza said.

Some farmers say the situation is even worse for those who took loans from financial institutions expecting to repay them using proceeds from milk sales. Without payment, many are now entangled in debt and facing legal and economic consequences. Uwababyeyi Dative from Rubaya Sector explains: “Some people took bank loans believing milk payments would help them repay, but now many are facing court cases while others have had their property confiscated. We are confused and frustrated. We are pleading with authorities to help ensure we are paid,” she said.

Responding to the matter, Gicumbi District Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Uwera Parfaite, confirmed that the issue is known and has been discussed at different administrative levels. She acknowledged that the debt owed to farmers is significant and said efforts are underway to seek a lasting solution. “Yes, this issue exists and it deeply concerns us as district leadership. Several approaches have been explored to ensure farmers are paid through cooperation between the cooperative and its members, although some strategies tried earlier did not yield expected results. Discussions are ongoing to secure a sustainable solution,” she said.

Uwera further explained that for IAKIB to effectively settle its debts, there is a need to increase the amount of milk supplied to the cooperative daily. “At least 40,000 liters of milk per day are needed to strengthen the cooperative financially so it can recover and pay farmers. There are also discussions around possible support mechanisms, including potential financial backing from Inyange Industries, to enable the cooperative to clear outstanding payments,” she added.

Meanwhile, many affected farmers say they remain hopeful but anxious, calling for swift action so they can recover their earnings and rebuild their livelihoods. They insist that two years of waiting is too long and urge authorities and cooperative leadership to prioritize their plight.

Although district authorities maintain that the issue will eventually be resolved, farmers say they need visible and timely action, stressing that the consequences of delayed payment continue to affect their families every day.