Police in Huye District are holding a woman after she was found with about 20 tonnes of maize seeds meant for farmers, which she acquired illegally.

Odette Ringuyeneza, currently detained at Ngoma Police Station, was apprehended on May 17, after Police recovered the seeds in two of her houses in Huye District.

The seeds are distributed by the Rwanda Agricultural Board (RAB) to farmers under a government-backed programme to increase production.

However, it is said that Ringuyeneza had washed the seeds to remove the chemicals and intended to mill them to make maize flour.

The District Police Commander, Supt Jean Marie Vianney Karegeya, said Ringuyeneza’s "illegal business” first came to light on May 16, when some residents reported the matter to Police.

"On Monday, a resident came to Police and reported seeing huge quantities of maize seeds being sun-dried at Ringuyeneza’s home in Rukira (in Huye) and when officers went there, they seized 3.8 tonnes,” Supt Karegeya said.

"We continued with investigations and, on May 17, we recovered more 16.2 tonnes in Tumba Sector, which also belonged to the same person and that’s when she was arrested,” he added.

"She argues that she bought the seeds from someone she doesn’t remember in Mulindi in Kigali but investigations are still underway, including taking her to show investigators where she bought the maize from, and arrest all those connected to this illegal business,” he added.

According to Justin Ntezimana, the RAB seeds production technician in the southern zone, this is a loss to the Government, which he valued at valued at Rwf41.9 million.

Ntezimana said that a kilogramme of this hybrid maize seeds costs Rwf2,095, but it is given to farmers at a subsidized price of Rwf520.

"She had already mixed the seeds and dipped others in water; so they can no longer be given to farmers as seeds. This is indeed a big loss. One kilogramme of this hybrid is estimated to produce 100 kilogrammes upon harvest. Actually, 20 tonnes can be planted on over 200 hectares because, on every 30 hectares, we plant three tonnes,” Ntezimana explained.

"Besides, these seeds are chemically treated, and chemicals are dangerous to people. It is almost impossible that you can wash all the chemicals from treated seeds; there is a big chance that you will be poisoning people,” Ntezimana said.

He further explained that the hybrid seeds (imported) and Open Pollinated Variety (selected from local crops) are supplied by RAB to only selected agro-dealers in regions, who equally sale them to farmers at a predetermined subsidized price.

"It is even rare that a dealer can receive that quantity, normally an individual dealer will receive no more than 20 tonnes.”

Meanwhile, Supt Karegeya called upon the public to stand up and protect what belongs to them and report anyone that attempts to temper with their wellbeing.

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