EASTERN PROVINCE

NYAGATARE—Umutara’s infrastructure development project has said the long-awaited Nyagatare dairy plant construction will be finalized at the beginning of the new year, and is expected to devour over 35,000 litres.

The construction of the dairy plant in Nyagatare, expected to cost a total Frw1 billion, is funded by Umutara community resource infrastructure and development project through its mandate of giving capacity to Nyagatare livestock farmers.

The head of livestock, agriculture and forestry department in UCRIDP, Jean Baptist Mugabo, told this reporter during an exclusive interview at his office in Nyagatare that the dairy plant, the first of its kind in the country, will reach its completion in January.

Umutara Community Resources Infrastructure Development Project is a 10-year project and has the target to activate an equitable process of economic, human and institutional development consistent with mobilisation and efficient use of human and natural resources.

"This time we have put lots of effort to make sure that in the months of January the dairy plant will be launched officially. We are through with installation of all equipment inside the dairy plant, we are just remaining with only a few things to fix, which are expected to be accomplished before this year ends,” Mugabo revealed.

He added that, among the products expected from the dairy plant, include packed milk, cheese, and yogurt. The dairy plant is expected to handle 35,000 liters per day and then expected to graduate to 100,000 liters as the proprietors have a plan to produce UHT type which can last for a longer period.

"The dairy plant was supposed to be opened sometime back in June but their some additional activities which had to be done including facilities for water treatment facility, water waste facility and getting dairy plant power transformer but UCRIDP believes that by the end of December every thing will be in order awaiting for the official launching in the months of January 2007.”

The beneficiaries of dairy plant include Umutara dairy marketing cooperative with a lion’s share of 60%, BRD and Rwanda development investment sharing 40 per cent.

Ends