Farmers upset over fertiliser distribution

KAMONYI - Farmers in Runda, Gacurabwenge and Rugalika sectors in Kamonyi District have complained over what they termed as the poor distribution of fertilisers which has affected their expected production.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

KAMONYI - Farmers in Runda, Gacurabwenge and Rugalika sectors in Kamonyi District have complained over what they termed as the poor distribution of fertilisers which has affected their expected production.

The farmers who talked to The New Times allege that an estimated 2,729 tonnes of fertilisers, worth over Rwf 55 million, were poorly distributed by the contracted suppliers.

"The fertilisers were dropped on the roadside and selected farmlands, and this caused a scramble among farmers.

Some energetic farmers got far more than what was meant to be allotted to each farmer by taking advantage of this disorganisation,” a farmer said.

It is alleged that local leaders never made a follow up on how this distribution was undertaken which prompted the scram.

Further still sources allege that the consignment was not availed on the agreed dates. The two contracted suppliers were identified as Eugène Bavukiyehe, and Euro–Rwanda supply.

This fertilizer deal was raised in a recent District Advisory Council meeting in which the councillors criticised local leaders for failing to monitor its distribution.

Martin Nyandwi, the district budget and resource supervisor admitted before the council that the fertilisers were poorly distributed due to logistical constraints.

"It was not clear  how much each farmer was supposed to receive and neither were the recipients aware of the quantities to be received,” Nyandwi said.

The council recommended that a follow up be made on the distribution of the fertilisers. 

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