BUGESERA—Members of Tuzamukane Food Cooperative Nyamata, Bugesera district have appealed to the government for support.

The cooperative has a total of 105 members.

Talking to The New Times, Emilien Nyirandabaruta, the cooperative leader, explained that the cooperative has a lot of projects but lacks technical skills and support to fully benefit from its efforts.

"We do fish farming, grow cabbages, onions, tomatoes and carrots that we are doing on small scale but lack the required knowledge and support to produce massively,” she explained.

Nyirandabaruta continued that government through district authorities offered 50 hectares of land for rice cultivation in Kagoma swamp, but nothing has been done due to lack of knowledge about drainage management to facilitate rice growing.

Evariste Nzirabatware, the cooperative agronomist, said if they get support, the cooperative would harvest about 350 tonnes of rice per season.

He explained that the swamp is more suitable for rice growing but they have included some other crops.

Nzirabatware said: "Therefore drainage management skills are necessary before rice growing commences.”

"The expected rice output can be enough for commercial and domestic purpose thus bringing about an increase in food security in Bugesera district and entire country,” he added.

Ali Ruragirwa, one of the cooperative members contends that they have a lot of hopes in their projects as regards to eradicating poverty.

Sylvere Uzalibara, the district head of cooperatives, said government was ready to offer support through capacity building and loan acquisition.

He however, said currently the government has limited man power to empower all cooperatives.

"It is a gradual process as a lot of procedures have to be undergone and other prerequisites fulfilled before any assistance is granted,” he said.

Uzalibara noted that the government was aware of their concerns and urged them wait for a positive response.
He commended the role of cooperatives in addressing food shortages in the region.

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