The senate on Thursday, December 2, resolved to summon the Prime Minister to provide verbal explanations on varying recurrent issues hindering the export of agricultural produce. The Premier is expected to explain how they plan to increase productivity of agricultural exports, transportation of the produce and their marketing in foreign countries. They will also seek explanations from the head of government on the use of wetlands in agriculture while preserving the environment. The decision was made after the senate committee on economic development and finance presented a report on the challenges in the agriculture sector and impede exportation of agricultural products. According to the committee’s report, in 2020/2021, exports of tea accounted for $90 million, coffee fetched $61 million, exports of cereals earned the country $92 million. Other major exports include vegetables that account for $13 million in exports, while fruits and flowers made $7 million in exports each. Presenting the report, Senator Juvenal Nkusi, the Chairperson of the committee said that although the country has made progress in terms of export growth, more can be done to boost these exports if the challenges are addressed. “For instance 30 per cent of the coffee trees are old and have not been replaced, the same with the tea trees that have not been replaced, and this is an issue because it affects productivity of these crops,” he said. Senator Nkusi also presented to the senate other issues that include; reduced productivity of dairy products, lack of cold rooms, problems in transportation of delicate produce like flowers and horticulture, and long process of standardisation of the products that delay exportation. “Another recurring issue is delay of farmers an getting loans, yet when it comes to agriculture a two or three day delay causes numerous losses to the crops, so the farmers need professionals who understand how delicate agriculture is and advocate for them so they can access financial services on time,” he added. Clotilde Mukakarangwa said that farmers are paid less for their produce yet the price of the commodities that are being exported is very high. “These farmers invest a lot of hard work, buy fertilizers and seeds which is a huge investment, yet they are the ones that get less paid, and there should be a way to fix this,” she added. Senator Lambert Dushimiyimana brought up the issue of climate change which is greatly affecting farmers and reducing productivity in terms of exports, adding that explanations should be provided on what is being done to help the farmers tackle this so they can be more productive.
