Maize farmers in Nyagatare district are calling for increased investment in post-harvest efforts to prevent loss of their produce.

Nyagatare is Rwanda's leading maize-producing district, with production reaching 132,000 tonnes in 2024. However, according to farmers, a significant portion of their harvest this season might be at risk of perishing due to inadequate storage facilities.

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For instance, according to KABOKU, a cooperative representing over 1,000 farmers in the district and oversees nearly 800 hectares of irrigated maize and soybean farms, post-harvest handling facilities that are currently available are not enough to store all the farmers’ produce.

The cooperative can produce between 4,000 to 5,000 tons of cereals per season, but its 58 post-harvest facilities cannot even store half of it, a challenge that leaves much of their produce vulnerable to pests and being spoilt.

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Assouman Muganga, a maize farmer from Matimba Sector in Nyagatare District who oversees a 2.5-hectare field in the 900-hectare Gabiro Irrigation Scheme, told The New Times that though he expects a productive harvest this season, he is worried of the lack of storage.

"In the past, I had to sell my produce at a lower price because it was very hard to dry and store it. RAB (Rwanda Agricultural Board) provided us with tarpaulins to reduce waste, but they were not enough. We urgently need solutions like dryers and modern storage facilities,” he said.

The Gabiro Irrigation Scheme, home to hundreds of farmers, has improved productivity, but its success has outpaced the region’s post-harvest infrastructure. Muganga fears that without proper dryers and storage, the profits from this season will be lost again.

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Wilberforce Ngabirano, President of the KABOKU Cooperative, says that last season, 35 percent of their produce was lost due to inadequate post-harvest handling.

"This shortage of infrastructure is impacting farmers. We urge investors to seize this opportunity to support farmers and secure their yields,” he noted.

Illuminee Kamaraba, Division Manager for Crop Post-Harvest and Processing Management at RAB, said the government is committed to addressing post-harvest losses, working together with partners.

"Programs such as PASP (Post-harvest and Agri-business Support Project) have helped cooperatives acquire grain dryers, ensuring high-quality maize for the market,” she said.

Kamaraba noted that, as of March 2024, Nyagatare has 114 drying shelters and eight grain dryers with government support. However, she pointed out that not all maize is dried locally, as some farmers can access drying facilities in other districts like Gatsibo and Kayonza, which are better equipped.

During the Nyagatare Investment Forum that took place on November 22, Mayor Stephen Gasana highlighted post-harvest infrastructure as a crucial investment opportunity.