Stop speeches, solve farmers’ problems

Editor, Instead of wasting time running after foreign investors, it is better for the government to give more support to local farmers.

Monday, November 18, 2013
Farmers need more support to increase output and improve work processes. The New Times / T. Muyagu

Editor,Instead of wasting time running after foreign investors, it is better for the government to give more support to local farmers. I am a farmer, but I have to sale my pigs at a loss because of the high cost of animal feeds. The cost of some inputs, including feeds, has gone up by more than 100 per cent. For expample, a kilogramme of feeds (for pigs) has increased from Rwf40 to Rwf120 in the past four months. But politicians are engaging us in endless speeches without coming to our aid.Peter, Bugesera----------------------------------Rwanda Agricultural Board should find ways to help local farmers. Farmers have a lot of challenges, including lack of access to finance and high loan rates. The prices of inputs (animal feeds, fertilisers, pesticides etc) are so high, but the price of a litre of milk is still or below at RWf200 and beef at Rwf1,400 a kilo in the villages.Please help farmers by setting the policy, where farmers will be assured of better farm gate prices.Celestin, Rwamagana