Inyange suppliers decry poor quality seeds

Farmers who supply pineapples and passion fruits to Inyange Industries claim that poor quality seeds coupled with infertile soils continue to weigh-down on the quality of their output.This makes it hard for them to supply the quality and quantity required by the firm to produce at maximum capacity.Inyange, has a daily capacity to process 35 tonnes of pineapples and passion fruits but farmers only supply 45 tonnes of pineapples and 30 tonnees of passion fruits a week.Over 30 farmers, grouped in ten cooperatives that supply Inyange, the administration of Inyange and the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) met to seek solutions to the challenges facing the farmers.“Our produce is so low and yet we are always required to produce as much. Sometimes even when we think we have produced enough, transportation of the fruits is tough because Inyange’s depot points are usually located far away,” Potieu Ugilumufasha, the Chairman of a farmer’s cooperative, in Musanze District said.“Besides that, the prices are low and not stable, which sometimes forces fruit farmers to sell to other people across the border, yet they are bound to sell to Inyange,” he added in an interview.During negotiations, NAEB agreed to offer agronomical support to farmers.“We are in the process of constructing 20 depots and stores countrywide where farmers can store their produce. We also want to do for them soil research and show them which areas are best suitable for growing these fruits,” Alex Kanyankole, the Managing Director of NAEB, said.“We have also agreed with the farmers to provide them with agronomical support, including how to manage soil and provide them good quality seeds at good prices.”According to the new Managing Director of Inyange, Senganda Sudadi Kayitana, both Inyange and the farmers must work towards a win-win situation.“Inyange wants to make profits, just like the farmers. The prices keep changing due to the quality and season in which they supply. But we have discussed with them the quality we need and how we can adjust prices in the future to satisfy the farmers, while we are also able to achieve a profit margin,” Kayitana said.Currently, Inyange pays the farmers Rwf120 per kilogramme of pineapples. The price of passion fruits varies between Rwf550 and Rwf700 per kilogramme depending on the quality.The farmers’ representatives agreed to meet with Inyange and NAEB officals at least once a month to follow up and check on the progress of the resolutions.

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Inyange suppliers decry poor quality seeds