RWAMAGANA – District veterinary officers have been called to serve farmers more diligently.The call was made by the Director General of Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB), Prof. Shem Martin Ndabikunze. He was reacting to farmers’ concerns that their cows were not getting timely attention as required.The official said vets were provided with all the necessary tools to serve the people, wondering why their services were below expectations.Ndabikunze pointed out that veterinary officers, countrywide, had signed performance contracts upon which their remuneration would be based. He disclosed the longstanding issue of delayed salaries and wages of vets had been resolved, insisting the officers had no excuse for poor performance.“We pay them well and in time…they, thus, have no reason whatsoever to serve you poorly. We made this clear when they signed performance contracts,” he underscored.A farmer, Bernard Rugundana, alleged veterinary officers at sector and district levels were not providing them with proper services.“We have a problem in inseminating cows...when a cow goes on heat, you can’t get a vet in time to inseminate it. Farmers too, need more knowledge on the whole process of insemination,” he said.Meanwhile, Ndabikunze challenged farmers to create well functioning cooperatives that can operate professionally at the district level.He pointed out that they should not continue to rely entirely on Inyange Industries for market for their milk.“We are going to establish 70 milk collection centres….farmers must form cooperatives that can process milk into other products, so as to avoid dependence on Inyange. Create competition to get the best milk prices”.Milk production has hiked since the introduction of exotic cows in the province.
