As the Ministry of Trade and Industry moves to promote agricultural exports, the same products can hardly even get space on the shelves of local supermarkets – despite farmers’ efforts to produce more. That local farmers and dealers are struggling to get local supermarkets to buy their produce suggests there is something wrong. Could it be that more emphasis is put on the export market before even catering for the domestic market? 

The situation challenges the Agriculture ministry and the National Agricultural Exports Board (Naeb) to possibly rethink the strategy. If our produce cannot meet expectations of local supermarkets, what chances do they have to be competitive in foreign markets? Before looking for markets abroad, we should first promote our produce locally to help improve quality and local capacity.

Government agencies like Naeb and Rwanda Standards Board should help local producers develop quality safeguards along the value chain, especially post-harvest handling, to ensure quality.

There is also urgent need to support local entrepreneurs in terms of branding and packaging to make local products more competitive. Otherwise, efforts to promote agricultural exports, or any other products for that matter, will be in vain and the economy will be the big loser. The Agriculture ministry should also support farmers to get improved seeds and inputs to increase productivity and ensure sustainable supply.

Local supermarkets cannot be faulted for demanding quality produce because they must never compromise standards. Responsible government agencies should rise to the occasion, up their game and help farmers and agro-dealers improve their produce and value chain so they can ably serve the domestic market before exporting to the region and beyond.