NYAGATARE District has started providing modern maize storage facilities, commonly known as ‘Cocoons’, to farmers as a way of ensuring that excess produce is not sold cheaply or wasted. Speaking to The New Times on Monday, Enock Byabashaija, the district vice Mayor in charge of Economic affairs, said the move was part of the district’s plan to maintain quality yields. “The district is growing into a role model in maize production but most the farmers who produce high yields have been facing a problem of poor storage systems…we have developed this plan of offering them Cocoons for safer storage,” he said. Byabashaija added that the district has so far purchased forty-seven Cocoons which will be distributed to maize farmers in various parts of the district. “Six of them are already in the hands of maize farmers. We shall keep helping them with necessary farming materials to ensure that our agricultural goals are attained,” he said.Most farmers who spoke to our reporter said maize storage has been one of their biggest challenges. Eric Karuhanga, a maize farmer in Rwempasha sector said he had good maize yields last season which he could not manage to store safely. “The district’s intervention to help us get these modern stores is timely. I harvested 10 tonnes of maize last season but failed to store them because of the local storage system used previously,” he said. Ends
