Ruth Mukeshimana, a mother of six in Kayonza District who started with Rwf400, 000 investment capital in agribusiness value chain in the last five years, is now making millions as an agro-dealer.

Mukeshimana, who was previously unemployed, spent part of her savings from casual works to venture into fertilizers dealing

"I had no job but my husband was a teacher. Although teachers get meagre wages, with little savings and others I had got from casual works, I started selling a small quantity of fertilizers since farmers had not yet fully understood the role of fertilizers. Gradually, I expanded the business to agro-chemicals and vegetable seeds,” she said.

Mukeshimana said that having started from 500 kilogrammes, the amount has gradually been increasing.

Her capital has already increased from Rwf400, 000 to over Rwf10 million.

"Having started from 500 kg of fertilizers, I can now sell over 10 tonnes of fertilizers to farmers per agricultural season,” she said adding that there are three agricultural seasons per year.

She gets fertilizers from importers and sells it under a government subsidized programme to farmers whereby she gets Rwf40 profit from every Kilogramme she sells.

 The entrepreneur in the agribusiness value chain said she has to work closely with farmers during the planting season looking market for the agro-inputs.

 "I also set up demonstration plots when I use such fertilizers and agro-chemicals, quality seeds as a way to convince farmers on the role of agro-inputs which I then supply to them,” she said.

With the approach, she said, sales keep increasing.

"I also sell pesticides. I started with one pack and now I can sell five packs of pesticides. We were trained on dealing standard pesticides,” she said.

Opening branches

The model agro-dealer said she has opened a second shop and she is ready to open more agro-inputs shops so as to expand her business.

"This is the way to avail agro-inputs closer to farmers. However, I am still facing transport challenges as I do not have my own vehicles to transport fertilizers.. I am looking forward to buying my own cars to reach more farmers in the sector,” she said.

The dealer said bank loans have also played a big role in expanding the business.

"For instance, I recently acquired Rwf2 million to help me invest in farming and I have already cleared it thanks to my business. I also train women on how they can start from small capital to invest in agro-inputs inputs markets,” she said.

Tilling 2.5 hectares

Mukeshimana said she also leases tillable land to grow some crops.

"I currently grow crops on 2.5 hectares in Mukarange sector although I have an agro-inputs shop in Kabarondo sector .For instance I have grown Irish Potatoes and I expect to harvest produce worth Rwf1 million.

I also grow maize on land where I harvest seven tonnes on the same land where I used to harvest 200 Kg as I had not yet embraced the use of fertilizers and quality seeds,” she said.

She also grows Iron-rich beans.

"I also inspired my son to study agronomy and he became an agronomist for my agribusiness. I employ five people of whom four are women,” she said.

However, she said she still faces the challenge of lack of drying facility.

Dative Kengayiga, another woman agro-dealer said she started from Rwf700, 000 capital.

"The capital has now increased to over Rwf5 million over the last four years. I also have another shop in another sector. Hinga weze project trained me on the business in agribusiness value chain,” she said.

They are part of 83 rural women as agro-dealers who formed a cooperative based in the agro-inputs sub-sector.