NYAGATARE/GATSIBO - Farmers in the districts of Nyagatare and Gatsibo have welcomed the lifting of a ban on the export of cows that has been causing them heavy losses. 

This was revealed by Anselme Rurangwa, the Mayor of Gatsibo district in an interview with The New Times yesterday.

Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority (RARDA) had banned the export of live animals in favour of processed beef and other byproducts.

Rurangwa revealed that the farmers were given a 6-month grace period, during which they must adopt modern ways of transporting beef.

The Mayor said that it was time the farmers formed cooperatives through which they could purchase coolers and other necessary equipment.

"We have started to sensitize farmers to form cooperatives, which will help them to access bank loans,” Rurangwa said.

"These loans can help them to buy modern equipment, process beef and transport it wherever they can get markets”.

Richard Niyonshuti, a farmer, said the temporary lift on the ban, was timely.

"We could earn more money by selling the cows’ by-products, but the decision had been taken hastily,” he said.

"It’s promising that the authorities have given us some time to get prepared”.

Most of the cattle were being exported to the lucrative market in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

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