KIGALI - Trade and Industry Minister, Monique Nzanzabaganwa, will today appear before the Senatorial Committee on Agriculture to discuss issues pertaining to agro business.

"The Minister will appear to answer some of the questions raised by farmers’ cooperatives in Kirehe, Gatsibo, Nyabihu and Nyagatare who informed us of problems they meet when it comes to selling their produce; especially maize and cassava,” said The Agriculture Committee Clerk; Eugene Murekezi.

He also explained that the farmers, through their cooperatives, complained about the prices put in place by the government and requested the Senate to intervene.

"They say that the Rfw 120 per kilogramme of maize instituted by the government was unfair. Most of them are stuck with the maize seasons later,” he said.

Murekezi said that Nsanzabaganwa will explain to the Committee what the government has in plan to deal with the issues that were raised by the farmers.

"It is basically a consultative session where the Senators will tell the Minister about their field trip and the issues that were raised,” he explained.

Nsanzabaganwa recently instructed the management of Minoteries Industrielles Import Export Company (MINIMEX S.A), to speed up the process of buying maize from farmers in the Eastern Province to minimize losses among the farmers and maize cooperatives in the province.

MINIMEX is a purchasing company that signed a contract with the government to buy maize from local farmers. The minister also urged the company to always provide farmers with basic information and knowledge regarding the terms and qualities of maize they buy.

Nsanzabaganwa’s visit will be followed by that of the Minister of Agriculture, Dr.Agnes Kalibata who will also update the committee on her Ministry’s plans for the farmers.

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