Rwamagana/Ngoma- The Governor of Eastern Province, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, yesterday, visited coffee farmers in the districts of Rwamagana and Ngoma, where she pledged support to improve the quality of coffee and increase production.

The Governor, who was accompanied by the Director General of OCIR-CAFÉ, Alex Kanyankole, said the farmers will get maximum support from the government.

The delegation that also included other stakeholders, visited Karenge Sector in Rwamagana and Rurenge and Remera sectors in Ngoma District.

A number of coffee processing factories in the two districts were also visited.

Addressing hundreds of farmers, Kirabo said that their role in socio-economic development of the country was extremely important.

"The purpose of our visit today, is to encourage you to grow more coffee, develop yourselves and the country at large. The development of this country lies in the hands of exemplary farmers like you…our support is not debatable,” she said.

Kanyankole reiterated the importance of increasing coffee production for the benefit of all Rwandans.

He said that the price of coffee is projected to steadily continue increasing.

"The price of fresh coffee beans increased from Rwf 150 to Rwf 300 per kilogramme in recent days…the trend is expected to go higher. We have fertilisers and drugs for the crop that each farmer must get to maximise production,” he said told the farmers.

A prominent coffee farmer in the province, Everest Mutibagirana, said that the price increase motivated farmers to increase the acreage under coffee production.

He said that coffee farmers in Rurenge Sector had improved their livelihoods to satisfying levels.

"I have, for instance, built a nice residential house, bought a dairy farm and pay my children’s school fees with ease. That is why I am going to expand my farm to at least 20 hectares…the sky is the limit,” he said.

The international price of coffee has increased from US$3.88 to five dollars per kilogramme.

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