Gatsibo farmers have been urged to look at the benefits of operating within cooperatives as a means of boosting their market power. The call was made by MP Julienne Kantengwa during a two-day farmers’ workshop organised by Gatsibo District and its development partners at the weekendKantengwa said agro-cooperatives are a driving force to ensure  a competitive, innovative Rwanda agriculture food sector. "Cooperatives enable farmers to join forces to market their produce, add value to produce, help protect farmers against risks and help ensure product development through research and innovation,” he said.  "In the growing of fruits, for example, where there are strong seasonal variations in supply, cooperatives play a vital role in balancing out the market”.Fred Ntakirutinka, the coordinator of the district Joint Action Development  Forum (JADF) reiterated the need to promote agro-based cooperatives, noting that agriculture remained the backbone of the country’s economy.Financial rewards JADF helps the local authorities to know the specific actions of every NGO that operate in the district and their partners, so that no two organisations working in the same place will do same thing. Ntakirutinka urged farmers to join and set up cooperatives to reap greater financial rewards and enjoy more protection."It’s only when you are in cooperatives that you can easily access bank loans, farm inputs like fertilisers, tractors, etc. Cooperatives, if well managed will enjoy government support and protection, as opposed to individual ventures that in most cases end up failing,” he said.Ambrose Ruboneza, the Mayor of the district commended farmers for their relentless efforts to implement government policies."There have been new policies meant to transform agriculture. Farmers in Gatsibo have been at the fore-front in embracing them, which is why you see them reaping high profits. The exhibition speaks for itself,” he said.