Rwanda food commodities high on standards – WFP

Rwanda has topped the region in terms of quality and standards of food produce, according to the World Food Programme (WFP). Emmanuela Mashayo, the Coordinator for Purchase for Progress at WFP Rwanda’s says that Rwandan farmers have demonstrated high standards and quality, a move that has made many agencies to crave for their produce. “We believe Rwandan farmers have better opportunities for quality commodities,” she said during the ongoing first Eastern African Agricultural Commodity Fair at Mulindi agricultural showground in Kigali. Mashayo noted that despite low volumes compared to other regional countries, Rwanda’s commodities still take an affirmative stand to attract high prices and bigger markets within the region and internationally as many buyers target quality standards. “What we are trying to do now is to open their horizons and find a market for their produce,” Daya Bragante, Programme Officer United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). She added that the exhibition which will focus on four selected commodities including beans, maize, Irish-potatoes and rice will help farmers across borders to exchange knowledge and skills and find new markets. Furere Wellars, an expert in livestock and food security in the Ministry of East African Affairs revealed that the two day exhibition is expected to attract 200 farmers’ representatives from Burundi, DR Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda. The exhibition, which is organised by Ministry of the East African Community, Ministry of Agriculture, UNECA as well as WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Raphael Murangwa, Director General of Planning and Policy in the Ministry of Agriculture is optimistic that bridging linkage between farmers and traders will help strengthen the current initiatives to promote agriculture, which employs over 74 per cent of the population. “This fair will benefit participants and will contribute to address that issue, which is one of the key priorities of the Government of Rwanda with regards to agriculture sector, as elaborated in the Medium Ternm Economic Strategy (EDPRS),” he said. Ends

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Rwanda food commodities high on standards – WFP