Inaugural livestock fare excites dairy farmers

RWAMAGANA – Stakeholders within the livestock sector over the week-end conducted a trade show in Ntunga trading centre, Rwamagana district. The trade show that was organized by East African Dairy Development (EADD) attracted dairy farmers from across the district. According to Agnes Uwera, one of EADD’s business advisors, the trade show was meant to bridge the existing gap between the dairy farmers and their target markets. “We want dairy farmers to close the gap between their products and the markets they serve. Market access is key in these modern times,” she said. She added that the trade fare was meant to enable various suppliers of the dairy sector to link up with farmers. “We local veterinary and farm input suppliers have been known to be bypassed by farmers who prefer purchasing the same inputs from suppliers located miles away. In such a situation farmers too, make losses…after the trade show we expect a change for the better,” Raula Ndikumana, who owns a veterinary drug shop said. Deo Kurumusange, the chairman of Diary farmers’ association in Rwamagana district reiterated the importance of the trade show, saying that most farmers are cheated out of ignorance. The trade fare also attracted officials from local banks, and a representative of the Rwanda Development Bank, who briefed farmers on procedures to access loans. Ends