The Private Sector Federation together with the Rwanda Diary Competitiveness Program II (RCDP II) organised a two-day exhibition and competition for locally made cheese where top cheese makers were awarded.

New Papyrus restaurant in Kimihurura hosted the event that was presided over by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Emmanuel Hategeka.

Hategeka commended the cheese makers for improving the quality of Rwandan cheeses. He urged them to come up with one internationally recorgnised brand.

"Rwanda imports over 40 tonnes of cheese annually. This can, however, be reversed if you work closely and increase cheese production to replace imported cheese that had dominated stalls in various supermarkets,” he said.

He said government was working on a plan of putting up a dairy factory in Burera where cheese among other products will be  made.

The first Rwandan cheese competition offered local cheese makers the opportunity to enter their cheese in six categories of Gouda, Feta, Mozzarella, Fresh cheese, Continental cheese and processed cheese

Acting Chief of party RDCP II Dennis Karamuzi, said the expo and awarding ceremony aimed at improving the quality of  Rwandan cheese.

Nine companies; Muhe farm ltd, Fromagerie le Reine ltd, Gishwati farms ltd, Local Cheese Promotion ltd, Gishwati Mountain Farm ltd, Urugyero, Royal diaries, Ingabo dairies and Les Cavabon took part in the competition.

Gishwati Farms limited emerged overall winner of the competition scooping three awards in the categories of best Mozzarella, continental and fresh cheese class.

Other companies that won awards include Gouda cheese class – Muhe Farm Ltd, Feta cheese class – Fromagerie le Reine, Processed cheese class – Local Cheese Promotion Ltd

Kobus Mulder, a dairy consultant and one of the judges for the competition said the quality of locally made cheese has improved tremendously.

He added that cheese was the only dairy product whose market was growing steadily every year by 4.5 per cent and thus a venture worth investing in.

Emmanuel Kageruka, the founder of Gishwati farms Ltd that emerged winner commended government for support that has enabled them reach this far. Government support includes training.