Never leave agric in the hands of poor rural folks

Editor, Refer to the story, EAX in search of grains to meet soaring demand, (The New Times, September 5). Dr Kadri Alfah, EAX country manager, says that the demands are not being met as farmers hardly respond to messages calling for the grains, and that based on the demand we have and the volumes we are receiving presently, Rwandans are yet to fully exploit the benefits of this exchange facility. I find it interesting that we have a market which we can’t serve and yet whenever you attend conferences on agriculture and productivity, it’s the usual “lack of market here and lack of market there”, always a blame game between politicians and the private sector. Now that the most stimulant factor of production (market) is there, why can’t the two partner to boost production? Whether it’s production of grains, cereals, or cash crops, it’s time for Rwanda to commercialise production and become competitive not only for EAX but also on a global scale. Leaving agriculture to the rural poor will not lead us to the goals government has set and that’s why the government should partner with the private sector and they jointly work towards increased production. What do we expect if you still have farmers using their heads to carry produce to the market? What do we expect if commercial banks have turned a blind eye to farmers and can’t extend credit to them? Time is now or never. Richard

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Never leave agric in the hands of poor rural folks