KIGALI - Prime Minister Bernard Makuza is, this week, expected to appear before the Senate to explain what the government is doing to ensure that agricultural yields are effectively processed and farmers get access to markets.

According to the Parliamentary Communications Director, Augustin Habimana, the Premier will particularly explain the current situation of maize and cassava produce in the country and what the government is doing to protect farmers.

"The Prime Minister’s appearance before the Senate follows some senatorial findings of difficulties faced by maize and cassava farmers in getting their produce processed and sold at an equitable price,” said Habimana

Meanwhile, a report compiled by the Senatorial Standing Committee on Economic Development and Finance in November last year, exposed a number of agricultural issues that needed to be looked into.

It was this same report which the senate based on to summon the head of government business. The report indicated that there were no clear methodologies of managing and processing agricultural produce and that the existing factories lack advanced technologies.

The committee had also complained that there was low level of production for regional and international markets.
According to Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), as one of the measures of making Rwanda a food-secure nation, the government intends to boost both cassava and maize production.

Cassava is mainly grown in the Southern Province, but the government intends to expand the acreage of plantation to 90,000 from 70,000ha.

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