GATSIBO - Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA) has advised members of COPROLIZ-Ntende, a rice farmers’ cooperative in Gatsibo District to turn the cooperative into a business venture.

The call was made by Ivan Museruka Rwigamba, an inspector at Rwanda Cooperative Agency during a ceremony to welcome group’s new leadership committee on Friday.

COPROLIZ has over 2,000 members and has excelled in farming with a net profit of Rwf 50 million.

Rwigamba urged members that with the successful net profit they have made, it is time to think beyond rice farming.

"You have excelled in what is needed to be a recognized cooperative, but you don’t have to stop from here. Invest in other fields to generate more income,” he said.

The new president of the cooperative, Jean Damascene Rwamwaga, thanked the outgoing president, James Karangwa, for his leadership skills that have developed the cooperative.

"COPROLIZ was at his heart. We shall never let this commitment down. I will closely work with my team to maintain the cooperative’s dignity,” he said.

Karangwa challenged the new committee to turn COPROLIZ into a role model in the district.

Cooperative members donated nine Friesian cows to their leaders for their outstanding management that led the cooperative to success and also gave awards to the United States Africa Development Fund (USADF) and Rural Sector Support Project for their continued support.

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