NORTHERN PROVINCE GAKENKE – Coffee farmers in Gakenke District have acquired new cargo bikes on credit in a bid to ease the transportation of coffee cherries from gardens to the market places. In Muzo Sector so far over 70 coffee bikes from the Land Of A thousand Hills Coffee Company, an international NGO headed by Rev. Jonathan D Golden, have been given out to farmers. Made to carry heavy cargo with a lager carrier and a strong metallic frame, the bikes, according to farmers will quicken transportation of their products and also reduce accidents which are normally experienced while using ordinary bikes. Juste Bizimana, one of the beneficiaries with over 4,000 coffee trees said, the bikes are very important because they will facilitate quick transfer of coffee cherries to the washing stations. This he said, will enable them fetch high prices from coffee because the higher the quality, the higher the price. According to Innocent Mugiraneza, the loan officer, said the project is a non profit making venture in which farmers are allowed to pay back in two years with an interest of only 10 percent - which covers the overhead costs incurred. Ends
