Farmers to benefit from new post harvest project #rwanda

Farmers in Ngoma and Kirehe districts are set to benefit
from increased productivity following the launch of a project
dubbed; Post-Harvest and Agribusiness Support Project
(PASP).
The project, that supports agriculture production processing
operations to increase efficient post-harvest system, was
launched in the tw0 districts on Tuesday.
The project is geared at reducing post-harvest losses and
ensuring food security.
Janvier Gasasira, the project coordinator, said PASP will
benefit 32,400 rural households comprising smallholder
farmers engaged with production and primary processing as
well as dairy farming.
Gasasira said members of cooperatives and smallholder
farmers would be some of the beneficiaries.
He said the project will promote beans, cassava, maize,
Irish potatoes and dairy farming.
"We have launched the project in the districts of Kirehe and
Ngoma first because they did very well in the crop
intensification project... Nyagatare will be next because of
its high production of milk," he said.
The project will cover Gatsibo, Kayonza, Ngoma, Nyagatare,
Muhanga, Kamonyi, Ruhango Kirehe, Musanze, Nyabihu and
Rubavu districts, regarded as the country's breadbasket
districts.
Gasasira told hundreds of farmers in Ngoma and Kirehe
districts at the launch that they would benefit from a
number of initiatives.
"It will promote value addition through improved harvesting
techniques, basic rural agro-processing transport, storage,
processing, transformation, and packaging," Gasasira
added.
He said the project will make it possible for banks to offer
agriculture loans to farmers since it provides 40 per cent
guarantee for loan seekers.
"Regardless of the type of business you have in mind,
starting a business is a major undertaking... so we are
talking of business-oriented agriculture. The project will
help farmers access loans by linking them to various
commercial banks," Gasasira said.
Farmers said the project will give them an opportunity to
benefit from increased production.
Augustine Ngabonziza, A renowned farmer in Kirehe, said
agricultural financing, would help farmers expand their
operations.
He said most farmers lagged behind because they lacked
start-up capital to buy equipment and necessary inputs to
improve quality of produce.
"Most farmers have had their crops' quality compromised by
the inability to stock them properly... this greatly affects
their earnings. That there will be access to loans, with a
grant of almost 50 per cent, is great news to farmers," he
said.
PASP is supported by the government and International
Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD).