Farmers of the rare patchouli plant that is grown in Musanze and Nyabihu districts have welcomed efforts to find market for their produce. Botanically known as pagostemon cabli, the plant is used in the processing of many products, including perfume, essential oils and soaps. The plant was introduced to residents of the north-eastern region by Bioland, a company that that had promised farmers market, but later pulled out citing insufficient production, since their intention was to export. Subsequently, farmers were stuck with the produce and many of them uprooted their plantations, incurring losses. Pierre Célestin Ngurizwenande, a patchouli farmer in Nyarutembe cell in Rugera Sector in Nyabihu District, said they have started planting again, after assurances from the National Agriculture Export Development Board (NAEB). “Officials from NAEB told us that Horizon Sopyrwa will buy and process our produce,” said Ngurizwenande. Ngurizwenande said despite the disappointment by the previous would-be buyer, NAEB officials have worked closely with them, and had always sent specialised agronomists to help them with the plant. “I had uprooted all the 700 seedlings that I had planted at the beginning because I was not making any profit,” said Jean Bosco Munyarwerere, a patchouli farmer in Nkotsi Sector, Musanze District Speaking to The New Times, Jean Pierre Nyirimanzi, the Nyabihu District Agronomist, said they are finalising negotiations with Horizon Sopyrwa so that the factory can buy the produce. “Negotiations with Sopyrwa are undergoing and we will soon sign a memorandum of understanding. He said that the district had started setting up infrastructure in preparation of the harvest to ensure quality. The infrastructure, he said, include driers and mini-processors. Jean Marie Vianney Munyaneza, the head of Agriculture Diversification and Product Development Division at NAEB, said they would sign the purchase agreement with Horizon Sopyrwa by next month. Pessimism However, Cyprien Musabirema, a patchouli technician for KOAPARU, said some farmers were reluctant to plant the crop again, because of their previous experience, but they would continue encouraging them nonetheless. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
