NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI—A one-day cooperative seminar held at district headquarters this Sunday has brought together farmers and local leaders at the sector, cell and village levels.

Key issues discussed include the formation of cooperatives and transitions from agro-based to knowledge-based economy in Rwanda.

Among the key speakers at the seminar was the in- charge of cooperatives at Gicumbi district Appolinaire Habyakare, RPF area coordinator John Nkunzurwanda,the in-charge of Kigogo Health Center in Nyankenke Sector Hussein Niyoyita and the area RDF 9th  Battalion administrative officer LT Emmanuel Karangwa.

Officer in charge of cooperative Appolinaire Habyakare called upon farmers and local leaders to sensitize the population in their sectors to form cooperative societies in order to break the "vicious circle” of poverty.

Forming such societies, he said, would help low-income earners to pull their resources together and channel them to "productive ventures” such as modern farming and rearing of exotic cattle that produce high yield.

 "Cooperative societies have helped to develop the economies of most countries in the region such as Kenya” said Habyakare.

On his part, area RPF coordinator John Nkunzurwanda said the government of National Unity upheld cooperative societies to eradicate poverty within the Rwandan communities and to meet its vision 2020.

"This can only be achieved through creation of cooperative societies, protection of the environment, joining  insurance and good governance at grassroots level” said Nkunzurwanda.

One farmer Francois Mugiraneza and Pascal Ndejeje, executive secretary of Miyove sector gave their testimonies to participants. "Kenyans are hard working and have no time to waste.”

Ndejeje called upon participants to emulate Kenyan farmers whose cooperative societies had reached advanced stages.

"Unlike some Rwandans, Kenyans are proud to be called farmers,” said Ndejeje.

Ends