FEATURED: NIRDA launches Open Call Programme to boost competitiveness among fruits and vegetables processing firms

The National Industrial Research and Development Agency (NIRDA) on Wednesday launched the Open Call programme for firms dealing with Fruits and Vegetables processing value chain business to help improve competitiveness and productivity The launch follows the recent technology audit survey on Fruits and vegetables value chain that identified gaps in the use of modern technologies which hinder firms’ productivity and competitiveness. The audit was carried out on 56 firms mainly Small and Medium Enterprises. It revealed that 19% of the production of the fruit is processed while 1.4% of the vegetable produce is processed. The audit also identified gaps in technology and production, market, policies and regulation, human resources and skills development. It also assessed the potential for upgrading, extending and optimizing fruits and vegetable firms to increase production for both local consumption and export. Kampeta Sayinzoga, NIRDA DG speaking during the launch of the Open Call Programme which is expected to help firms in fruits and vegetable value chain improve competitiveness. / Courtesy Through the Open Call Programme, firms are encouraged to apply and compete for support to acquire upgraded equipment with advanced technology, technical and business advisory support altogether believed to improve competitiveness and productivity. The support will be channeled through Development Bank Rwanda (BRD) and Rwf300 million were earmarked to the firms with interest-free without any collateral. However, NIRDA does not give out cash to industries but rather provides the capital through direct payments to the technology suppliers. Eligible are established industries and enterprises within fruits and vegetables value chain with more than two years of experience. According to Kampeta Sayinzoga, the Director-General of NIRDA, the aim is to support small and medium enterprises to become more competitive and boost productivity to increase production for local and international markets. “We cannot expect our factories to produce quality and cost competitive products if they do not use modern technologies” said Kampeta. “Some factories need to diversify products while others need to upgrade the quality of the products. This is where we are intervening. We will provide financial support to help them acquire modern equipment to improve competitiveness and productivity,” she said. Fruits and vegetables processing value chain equipped with modern technology would also serve as one sector contributing to the creation of 214,000 decent and productive jobs annually as per the 7-year Government Program (2017-2024). Red-peppers grown in Muhanga district and in other parts of the country. Firms are expected to compete and be supported by NIRDA to buy upgraded equipment to boost competitiviness and productivity. Fruits and vegetables value chain is one of the drivers to boost Made in Rwanda Programme and contribute to the export growth by 17% annually as outlined in the Seven Year Government Programme (7YGP). Supporting fruits and vegetables value chain by NIRDA is also aligned to contribute to Vision 2050’s Pillar 3 which is “The Economic Transformation Pillar” aims to accelerate private-sector-led economic growth and increased productivity. Who can apply for the support? Through the Open Call programme, applicants must be well-established industries or enterprises having been in the business for more than two years looking for fresh produce transport facilities, storage facilities, sorting, grading, washing and packaging facilities, cold rooms, mobile cooling units, improving waste management and others. The criteria also include having a sufficient workplace, having stable and sufficient financial resources to ensure the continuity of the business throughout the project. How to apply This is a competitive process through which only the best project proposals will be selected. Applicants will submit a Project Concept Note (2 pages) with all required details via www.nirda.gov.rw before 30th November 2019. The projects will be reviewed and assessed by NIRDA team after which owners of projects that will be approved will be called for submitting full project. Should firms applying have any query or need any support, they should contact NIRDA staff via toll-free 1055. Firm owners speak out Petit Vuningoma, the pepper processor in Kigali city said that the Open Call Programme was long overdue given that the production capacity is still low due to lack of the capital to purchase modern materials among other challenges. “There is a big harvest of pepper in the country, but we process a small quantity of it. This is a challenge because we have enough raw materials and yet fail to process enough for the local and international market including in China,” he said. “I am ready to apply for support and I hope that I will be one of the beneficiaries, I am optimistic that I will be able to acquire modern equipment with upgraded technology to boost productivity,” he added. Anastasie Kankwanzi who grows banana, pineapples on 5 hectares and process them in Kirehe district said she needed the support and was optimistic to benefit from the open call programme. “After getting equipment support, the produce will improve in quality and quantity and I will be able to compete on both the local and international market,” she said adding they also need more technical and advisory support from NIRDA. NIRDA has been mandated with a mission to enable a generation of industrial innovators to become competitive through technology monitoring, acquisition, development and transfer & applied research.

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FEATURED: NIRDA launches Open Call Programme to boost competitiveness among fruits and vegetables processing firms