The national civil society platform has called for concerted efforts to close existing gaps in agriculture productivity.

The call was made during the launch of a study commissioned by the body in the districts of Gakenke, Gasabo, Gatsibo, Ngororero, and Nyaruguru involving a total of 1,500 farmers.

Edouard Munyamariza, the spokesperson of the platform, cited expensive fertilizers, untimely distribution of improved seeds, and lack of access to loans among the factors contributing to low agriculture productivity.

The findings were tabled at a meeting that brought together government officials, civil society representatives, development partners, private sector and farmers.

The meeting was held under the theme; "Towards sustainable socio-economic development, through increased agricultural productivity, the road to self-reliance.”

"We know that the govern is aware of some of the concerns raised by the farmers and we want to see it doing more to rectify them,” Munyamariza said.

He cited the privatizing of fertilizer distribution, which he said, made it costly for some small scale farmers to access fertilizers.

The study concluded that 19.8 per cent of farmers needed extension services but were unable to get them while 76.9 per cent of farmers were against extension services. It also indicated that 76.1 per cent of farmers claim that the responses obtained from agricultural advisors are not satisfactory.

Yet the report reveals that farmers’ mindset/ resistance to change is also among the leading causes of low output.

The report also found out that banks limit agriculture loans for fear of climate change.

The Minister for Agriculture, Geraldine Mukeshimana, said they are closely working with financial service providers to ensure agricultural loans are extended to farmers, and that these financial institutions will help the farmers insure their crops.

She said there are also efforts to promote agro-processing plants to add value to the produce, adding that the private sector investment is expected to intervene in sector development.

Speaking at the event, the CEO of the Development Bank of Rwanda, Alex Kanyankore, committed to increasing agriculture loan facilities for farmers, especially those in cooperatives.

He said in season B, they released agricultural loans worth Rwf3 billion for fertilizer importers which they target to double.

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