Eastern farmers count losses as bananas rot away in plantations

Banana farmers in the Eastern Province are counting losses following huge price declines driven by the bumper period in the area. The province is the main banana growing area in Rwanda. A mini-survey conducted by The New Times found that a bunch of bananas that used to cost between Rwf5,000 and Rwf8,000, goes for Rwf1,000 to Rwf3,000 today. This is despite the fact that area’s production capacity was almost crippled by the banana bacterial wilt diseases, locally known as “Kirabiranya” that ravaged the plantations. Farmers said the losses will affect their operations. “This will hurt our earnings and smoothing running of our enterprises, even when prices recover and increase later on,” said John Murekezi, a farmer. “I invested a lot of money in a three-hectare plantation, but all this will be eroded and I won’t get any profits.” However, as farmers are counting losses, consumers are happy that they can now afford bananas. Jeannine Mukagasana, a primary school teacher, said she can now enjoy her favourite dish, noting that bananas are cheap in all the major markets of Ngoma District. “Consumers are happy because the prices are affordable. Recently, one couldn’t dream of buying a bunch of bananas as the prices were beyond our reach,” she said. Jerome Ndikubwimana, a banana vendor in Rwamagana District, said the number of suppliers had also increased, adding that the fall in prices was therefore inevitable. He said bananas were rotting away and being destroyed in many plantations in Kirehe, Ngoma and Rwamagana districts, the main banana growing areas of Rwanda. “This has hit farmers hard,” he said. Innocent Ukizuru, an agriculture officer at Rwamagana District, advised farmers to diversify crops, noting that crops like cassava and maize offered better prospects as they can be dried, preserved and used later during times of scarcity. He revealed that the banana bacterial wilt disease had been controlled, but urged farmers to be on the lookout so that the disease is wiped out in the province. business@newtimes.co.rw

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Eastern farmers count losses as bananas rot away in plantations