Rice cooperative to get processing plant

KIREHE — Plans are under way to procure a high capacity rice processing plant for a rice farmers’ cooperative (UCORIGI) in Kirehe district. According to the district Mayor Protais Mitari, rice farmers in the district have been having problems of processing their rice, prior to selling it. “The small inefficient machines that were banned are still used, hence reducing the quality of rice,” Mitari told The New Times. “We are soon getting a huge modern plant to help us process and sell competitive rice in markets.” Meanwhile, Nathalie Niyinagira, the district agriculture officer said that there is need for farmers in the district to acquire maize mills to handle the huge maize production which is expected this season. She noted that lack of mills has robbed the district of other maize by-products like animal feeds that would increase farmers’ income. Kirehe district is the food basket of the Eastern Province produces thousands of tonnes of rice and maize each year. Ends