Traders protest official maize prices

EASTERN PROVINCE KIREHE — Days after Kirehe district set Frw115 as the official price for a kilogram of maize, traders have protested, saying they would incur losses if they bought at the set price. Traders say they want to buy the crop at Frw110 per kilogram. But a district official said, “These are tricks buyers always use to cheat farmers. We are sure they will later buy the maize. They will even raise the price by themselves because farmers will sell to the highest bidder.” On Thursday the traders stormed out of the meeting with farmers which was meant to harmonize the prices. The meeting brought together agribusiness dealers including officials from MINIMEX. Both sides failed to agree as farmers stuck to the established price ceiling. Scores of farmers said they would rather store their produce until the prices appreciate. The district had on Wednesday set the official price reportedly to protect farmers from being cheated by unscrupulous buyers. “I sold my cow to get workers and I have to clear the debts for seeds and fertilizers. If I sell at Frw110 per kilogram I will not get any profit after paying debts,” Pascal Habineza one of the farmers claimed. He argued that very soon maize prices would rise and there was no reason why they should be cheated by buyers. “I thank the government that helped us in everything up to the time of harvesting. But it could be better if it can also secure a good market for our maize because even Frw115 is not enough since we have debts,” another farmer Yowasi Nzabamwita said. Mukasine Loui said, “We know maize prices will appreciate very soon. We have toiled a lot from the beginning up to the harvesting season. We better therefore store our maize till we get buyers who will offer the price we need.” Mukasine noted that traders have always cheated them but “this time they have failed.” Ends