Gakenke residents have committed to add value to their products so as to increase their market value.

The residents made the commitment while participating in the district open day on Tuesday, which attracted about 80 exhibitors.

The event was organised by the district in partnership with the Joint Action for Development Forum (JADF).

Farmers exhibited agricultural produce, ranging from bananas, vegetables, fruits and products such as juice.

Marie Grace Uwidutije from Gakenke Sector said she would work hard and adopt modern agriculture to increase her earnings.

"I am a farmer and I depend on agriculture; I have interacted with farmers exhibiting their products and realised that what we lack is value addition. I am committed to improving my farming practices and I am optimistic the yields will improve,” said Uwidutije.

"I am impressed by farmers’ cooperatives making bread and biscuits from sweet potatoes. I will encourage my colleagues to form a cooperative, consolidate our land to boost production and sell the produce to those making bread,” she added.

She also expressed desire to work with juice makers in order to learn from them.

Jean Marie Havugimana, another resident, said farmers are held back due to lack of knowledge and experiences from successful farmers, adding that he was ready to work hard to improve his production capacity.

Havugimana said it was time for farmers to adopt modern farming.

"This exhibition is an eye-opener for us. We often practice poor farming methods out of ignorance, otherwise, how can one farmer harvest bigger bunches and another small ones, yet they are farming in the same area. I am convinced I have to adopt modern farming,” he said. A bunch of bananas harvested from modern plantations in the district weighs up to 100kg, while one from ordinary plantations weighs less than 20kg.

The open day was also an opportunity for miners to exhibit various minerals extracted in the district.

James Kansiime, the district executive secretary, hailed farmers for improving their production, which he said was a good contribution to the district social-economic development.

Calling on residents to learn from successful farmers, Kansiime said compared to the past years, exhibitors had managed to embrace value addition.

Residents should be more innovative to increase their earnings and develop the district, he said.

Dr. Valens Hafashimana, the JADF president, said the open day attracted various people including business people, farmers and those involved in good governance.

He said the JADF members were committed to working closely with the district and members of the private sector for the district’s development.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw