NORTHERN PROVINCE Pyrethrum growers have been urged to embark on modernizing techniques and increase on the production of pyrethrum in order to meet high regional demand. This concern was raised during a meeting involving representatives of the farmer’s cooperative, district authorities and leaders of Rwanda pyrethrum society (SOPYRWA). Farmers raised their challenges involving lack of technical expertise on the growing of pyrethrum, lack of fertilizers, and disorganization in the management of farmer’s cooperatives, as well as late payment. According to Eugene Ndagizimana, chairman of the pyrethrum growers in Virunga, the production of pyrethrum went down due to low prices and late payment for products. Farmers requested for a joint summit with SOPYRWA to assess the costs of production in order to give a motivating price to pyrethrum. Vice-mayor of economic affairs Anonciata Bundegeri asked the farmers to make use of the fertile land and increase production in order to raise over 70 metric tonnes needed for the clients. Faustin Kinuma, director of Sopyrwa, says over five international pyrethrum processing companies, including SC Johnson (USA) have made orders of oil from Rwandan pyrethrum due to its high quality. He said Frw2 billion was expected to be spent amongst farmers on buying pyrethrum next year. He said that, whereas the company had the capacity to process over 100 tonnes, there was little production from farmers. A meeting was scheduled next week between the pyrethrum growers and Sopyrwa members to harmonise the prices and provide modified seeds to farmers. Ends
