Ngoma rural road rehabilitation to increase farmers’ profits

The road and bridges connecting Kibaya-Rukira-Gituku and Murama villages in Ngoma District has been rehabilitated. The 16-kilometer road worth over Rwf890 million will help farmers access markets and vital services, according to the government. Residents, who talked to The New Times yesterday were upbeat that the road will help farmers and cooperatives access markets. The farmers also said the road would help them access more easily inputs, such as improved seeds and fertilizers, meant to increase agricultural production. Alex Ndikubwimana, a banana farmer in the area said farmers had already started enjoying good prices for their produce thanks to the smooth road. “This was one of the poorest roads in the district. It was seasonal and not used during the rainy seasons. The bridges were too weak to carry loaded trucks and most of our bananas rotted in gardens. This is a land mark achievement and we commend the government for it,” he said. Jacqueline Murorunkwere, another banana grower said traders used to give them low prices for their products. She said prices of tomatoes, sorghum, bananas, livestock and other commodities had increased significantly. “We can now transport our bananas to urban areas where we are given better prices. A banana that costs Rwf1,000 in our villages goes up to Rwf5,000 in Kigali,” she said, adding that the new road will make agriculture profitable. Francis Bushaija, the Executive secretary of Murama Sector said the road rehabilitation was long overdue. “Agriculture in some remote areas is still characterised by low-value farming with little to no improved inputs. It is also constrained by poor access to markets and high transportation costs. The new road will help address such issues,” he said. Ngoma District Executive Secretary Gerald Muzungu, said there was a long term plan to rehabilitate many feeder roads. “Investing in feeder roads is one of our priorities. It helps farmers to market high value perishable crops as well as adoption of new technology,” he said.

National

Ngoma rural road rehabilitation to increase farmers’ profits