The Ministry of trade and industry agreed with the Irish potatoes’ farmers, sellers and other partners to set up a common understanding about how the price of that ingredient can be set for the benefit of all the actors involved.
One of the decisions taken included that there will be gathering centers where the production of the Irish potatoes harvested countrywide, could be brought up.
After this activity, businessmen will be selling the products to the clients to a commonly agreed-upon price.
According to the Minister of trade and industry Francis Kanimba, this new policy will resolve the persistent claims among the farmers that the price they sell the production is lesser than the inputs provided since the cultivating until the harvesting of the Irish potatoes.
This undermines their efforts, they claim.
Murebwayire Christine, who represents the farmers in the Private Sector Federation, lauded this new policy hoping that it will help in resolving their concerns at 90 per cent.
She, however, called the concerned organs to translate this policy into actions as soon as possible.
Regarding the current provisions, the farmer who lives in the countryside will be paid at 140Rwf per Kilo while the in Kigali, the price is set to 150 per cent.
At the other side, the farmers have shown that the prices highlighted above could not help them to earn benefits.
If we calculate all that that it requires to take the Irish potatoes to the markets, including the servants who will transport it, we will earn only two Rwandan francs, some of the farmers uttered.
One of them called Maniraguha Innocent said that fellow farmers should earn at least 4 Rwf per kilo sold.
The ones who want to be part of the managing committees of the Irish potatoes gathering centers should pay not less than 300 thousands Rwf.
Depending on someone’s financial capabilities, one will be able to purchase 200 shares at a cost of 60 million Rwf.
Farmers still have one week to travel countrywide to convene about the place and the price and present the agreements to the Rwanda Development Board not later than two week ahead.
UM– USEKE.RW
