PM outlines agriculture priorities

Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi on Thursday told the bicameral parliament that the government plans to scale up agricultural produce through irrigation and mechanisation to enhance food security and help fast-track economic development.During a presentation on the performance of the agricultural sector, the Premier noted that in 2012-2013 financial year, the government will construct five irrigation dams and develop 1,391 hectares of hillside irrigation in Kirehe and Nyanza districts.In addition to the development of pumping systems and hillside irrigation on 700 hectares in Nyagatare and Kirehe districts, four new dams for marshland irrigation will also be constructed on 3,648 hectares in various districts in the Eastern Province, including Kayonza, Gatsibo and Nyagatare.Habumuremyi noted that much had already been achieved and estimated the national irrigation potential at 589,711 hectares.“Big projects that were completed include irrigation of Muvumba marshland for rice farming on 1,750 hectares, irrigation of Kagitumba and Nasho valleyson 1,000 hectares and 1,000 hectares Rurambi marshland,” he said.On mechanisation, Habumuremyi said land ploughed using machinery increased from 6,300 hectares in season A of 2011 to 11,350 hectares in season B of 2012. The target for season A of 2013 is 12,400 hectares.The government plans to launch and operate village mechanisation centres in 10 districts, namely Nyamata, Karongi, Rulindo, Rwamagana and Gatsibo. Others are Nyanza, Nyagatare, Musanze, Ngoma and Gasabo.Construction of a building to host a power tillers assembly line in the Special Economic Zone is also under consideration.Outlining some of the current challenges as low capacity in irrigation, mechanisation and inadequate storage facilities, the premier told MPs that the government hopes to attain self-sufficiency in rice production by 2016.Lawmakers generally approved the plans but raised concerns about poor statistics in the agriculture sector, streamlining of the land consolidation programme, intra-country trade and food distribution, as well as weak local research institutions.MP Basile Bayihiki said rice farmers do not get a fair deal as they sell their produce to local industries at a low price, but once it is processed, they can barely afford it.“An example is a farmer selling rice at Rwf 250 per kilogramme but later buys it at Rwf 700.You wonder how does the farmer gain,” said Bayihiki.Deputy Charles Kamanda called on the government to facilitate the establishment of plants to manufacture packaging products.Deputy Gonzague Rwigema noted that coffee was difficult to grow if you consider the farmers’ input yet farmers are not happy about market prices.“On the other side, people with washing machines are crying. They say the market price is terrible. What is the government doing about that?” Rwigema posed. “What plans are there to ensure that farmers access and service their loans? And what plans are in place to ensure progress in coffee production?”Responding to the MPs queries yesterday, the Premier noted would ensure government puts MPs views in consideration so as to further enhance the agriculture development strategy.He told lawmakers that farmers have been well sensitized about the e-Isoko website which provides adequate market information, and that in addition, feeder roads are built to streamline inter-district trade and food distribution.On agricultural statistics, the Premier explained that internationally recognised guidelines are followed when gathering the statistics and the National Institute of Statistics plays a role in all this. Responding to MP Agnes Nyirabagenzi’s concerns on the plight of cassava farmers who she noted get a bad deal in terms of prices, the Premier said is important to consider the value added by the factory.“A farmer is now given Rwf50 for a kilo of fresh cassava. One kilo of cassava flour is got from three kilos of fresh cassava. For that reason, comparing the value of fresh cassava and the value of cassava flour, really does not give the real picture” Habumuremyi explained.On coffee, the Premier said there were plans to increase coffee production. “The government has particularly obtained US$18 million for various activities meant to increase coffee production,” he said.The Premier noted that as world coffee market prices stumble, local farmers are affected too, but he noted local prices never go below the set minimum price of Rwf 170.