Over 10 per cent of agricultural produce is lost along the value chain due to poor post-harvest handling, according to figures from the agriculture ministry. 

However, this could soon be history following implementation of initiatives aimed at increasing crop productivity, and reducing post-harvest losses under the Post-Harvest and Agribusiness Support Project.

According to Lucie Zigiriza, the operations manager, the project is being conducted in 11 districts; Musanze, Rubavu, Nyabihu,  Ruhango, Muhanga,  Kamonyi and all eastern districts, excluding Bugesera and Rwamagana.

It focuses on improving skills of farmers so that they are able to reduce losses along the value chain of products like maize, beans, cassava, Irish potatoes, as well as milk.

The Minister for Agriculture, Geraldine Mukeshimana, reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensure post-harvest losses are reduced further so farmers can reap more from their efforts.

"It’s our responsibility as leaders to ensure that farmers get maximum benefit and profit out of their produce,” she pointed out.

The government is aiming at reducing it further to 5 per cent by 2017. 

The minister urged district mayors and field staff in the province to ensure there are enough hangars to dry maize in their respective districts.

She directed them to make sure construction of hangars is completed by the end of this month.

Close to 1,300 farmers from 43 co-operatives have so far trained in maize and beans post-harvest handling countrywide under the project to improve product quality and reduce losses along the value chain.

Sam Rubagumya, a maize farmer in Nyagatare District, said the training will equip farmers and dealers with requisite skills to help deal with challenges of access to potential markets, calculation of the cost of production and control of store pests.

The Post-Harvest and Agribusiness Support Project also seeks to establish hubs of post-production skills and technologies in 11 selected districts across the country.

The hubs will have access to specialised service providers, business incubation centres and management of climate hazards during post-production processes.

Meanwhile, experts project the province to register increased productivity for major crops, including maize, beans, rice and soya beans.

The agriculture ministry project maize harvests to hit 373,293 tonnes this season, 86,525 tonnes for beans, as well as 41,226 tonnes of rice and 5,086 tonnes of soya beans.

This is testimony that government’s efforts to improve the agriculture sector, through modern farming methods like application of fertilisers and use of improved seeds, are paying off, according to Mukeshimana.

She also said more has been invested in irrigation schemes, land consolidation and storage facilities to enhance agricultural production and spur growth. Over 80 per cent Rwandans are employed in the sector.

In a related development, the Agriculture ministry and National Institute of Statistics Rwanda are seeking ways   to streamline data collection to better influence planning and policy formulation.

The two are set to come up with a detailed plan on how statistical gaps within the industry can be bridged.

Rapahel Rurangwa, the Agriculture ministry’s director general for planning, said accurate agricultural statistics are critical for taking informed decisions.

Rurangwa emphasised the need to develop strategies, and collect accurate data on how the agriculture industry can better contribute to the national economy.

"With accurate data, we can be able to draw comprehensive food security and vulnerability analysis strategies, and apply an integrated household approach that could greatly improve agro-productivity,” he added.