Farmers gain post-harvest management skills

KIREHE-At least 240 farmers from various agro-based cooperatives in Kirehe District, acquired skills in crop post-harvest handling and storage. The farmers were trained by ‘Sell more for more’ in collaboration with Wakara and AFFICO, with financial support from USAID. Maize farmers, who underwent six months of training, told The Sunday Times, yesterday, that the exercise exposed losses farmers experienced. Everest Mugabo, the Chairman of the maize and bean cooperatives in the district, reflected that they suffered huge losses due to poor storage. He added that the crop and finance management skills he got will help farmers to properly run the cooperatives for the good of all members. “We can now boast of good skills to manage our cooperatives...no more room for embezzlement. Our poor harvesting and storage system compromised the quality of crops hence reducing our income,” he said. Mugabo, however, said that there was need to help farmers to access modern farming tools and loans. “The beginning is never easy...it would be good if farmers accessed soft loans. Machines to use in handling cereals are scarce and farmers do not easily get loans from banks.” William Sparks, the trainer, said that Kirehe farmers have had great farming achievements of recent. He commended the efforts of individual farmers and cooperatives which made the district exemplary. He noted that training a single farmer in Kirehe is practically the same as training thousands, as they quickly disseminate the skills to others. “It is no wonder Bill Gates is using Kirehe District to explain how we are capable of ending hunger in the world. Today we are celebrating your story...a great story to tell...what you are doing is going down as a world record,” he said. Justin Rusangazangabo, a member of the Post Harvest Handling and Storage task force, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources said that the country’s commitment to improve agriculture will no doubt immensely increase production, hence raising concern for long term storage skills and capacities. “Storage skills, coupled with availability of huge stores across the country, is what we are aiming for this time. Food security is all about how long you can preserve cereals,” he said.The ceremony was attended by various members of international NGOs and US Embassy officials. Ends