Gakenke sweet potato farmers appeal for market

Sweet potato farmers in Gakenke District have appealed to concerned authorities to construct a modern market for them to ease sale of their produce. Sweet potato is widely grown in the areas of Cyabingo, Busengo, Kivuruga and Kamubuga, where there is arable and fertile soil. Farmers complain that lack of market for their produce pushes them to sell at giveaway prices. Currently, the farmers use the makeshift Ryabazira Market, located in Cyabingo Sector along Kigali-Musanze highway. “Lack of market affects us as we are compelled to sell our produce cheaply. Our sweet potatoes are displayed in the open. We want to sell the produce as quickly as possible to avoid waiting so long,” Valens Nemeyintwali, a farmer, said. Nemeyintwari admits that while sweet potatoes are source of income for him, he would sell more when the market is constructed. Besides, the farmers say there are cases when they fail to get customers but instead of taking their produce back home they accept little money because they have no where to keep it. “Imagine when you do not have customers but can’t carry the produce home we do not have any option but to sell at giveaway prices,” another farmer only identified as Mukeshimana, said. Ryabazira Market serves hundreds of people selling sweet, Irish potatoes and bananas. When contacted, Gakenke District authorities acknowledged that the lack of modern market affects earnings of farmers. Odette Uwitonze, the district vice mayor in charge of economic affairs said in partnership with private sector they are planning to construct a market. She said similar ‘selling points’ will be constructed in other centres such Kirenge of Muhondo Sector, Buranga in Nember Sector and Kivuruga to boost farmers earnings. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Gakenke sweet potato farmers appeal for market