SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE — The Minister of State for Industry and Investment Promotion, Vincent Karega has urged members of farmers’ cooperatives to explore ways of adding value to cassava to accommodate its abundant production.

Karega made the remarks yesterday at a meeting meant to discuss prospects of handling projected cassava surplus in the next few months after harvest. Provincial officials and the members of the private sector attended the meeting.

He advised members to install an ultra modern cassava processing plant to process cassava flour for local and international market.

The minister particularly advised members of the Southern Province Investment Corporation, which is about to be commissioned, to consider investing in the industry to exploit the available market. He reaffirmed government’s resolve to help cooperatives.

"Government will help in sourcing for the necessary expertise which maybe lacking; but the onus lies on private groups to come out with ideas of how they intend to do their business," he said.

As part of the economic and agricultural revolution drive, the Province chose to grow cassava as a specialised crop.

Intensive cultivation of the crop was implemented on 130, 000hectares of land in the districts of Muhanga, Huye, Nyanza, Gisagara, Nyaruguru, Ruhango, Kamonyi and Ruhango.

During the meeting, the Minister of State for Water and Mines Prof. Munyanganizi Bikoro made a presentation on the best way to handle cassava processing.

He advocated for the involvement of communities right from the Cell level in initial work like washing and peeling of cassava before feeding the processing plant. This, he said will create the much needed employment for residents.

Prof. Munyanganizi revealed that he had identified basic machinery that can be used to process different cassava products.

David Kuwana, the Managing Director of Commercial Bank (BCR), -Rwanda said that BCR is ready to finance people’s income generating projects.

"Many people complain about interest rates. What we want from you is to show us how you will invest the money then you get the loan," said Kuwana.

Other officials of major banks in Rwanda who attended the meeting expressed similar readiness to extend financial support to cooperatives.

The meeting was also attended by the Secretary General in the Ministry of Commerce, Justin Nsengiyumva, Governor Fidèle Ndayisaba, district leaders and representatives of the different cooperative societies dealing in cassava.

Ends