EASTERN PROVINCE

Livestock farmers have been criticising the government’s One Cow-One Family plan, saying that cattle are bought at a low price compelling many farmers to sell their cattle to open markets. ‘Can you imagine selling your calf for just Frw30,000 when the project had fixed Frw130,000?

 If this continues farmers will not cooperate because its full of exploitation” one concerned livestock farmer said.The minister and district authorities together with livestock farmers reached a compromise with veterinary doctors being the first to identify cattle distributed in the project.Murekezi observed and regretted the contract the ministry had signed with businessmen to buy cattle for the project where they applied crooked methods, which he said ended up causing foot and mouth disease in the areas of Karangazi sector in Nyagatare district. "What was lacking was the coordination of all activities, but this time the ministry is coming in and expects everything to move on smoothly since we have reached a consensus on how to deal with situation.

 This time we want it to be done in a systematic way to avoid its side effects including price exploitation and the attack foot and mouth diseases "he said.

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