Pyrethrum production increases

MUSANZE - Production of quality pyrethrum in the Northern province has improved over time, the General Manager of the Musanze-based Pyrethrum Company, SOPYRWA, David Martin Rwiyamirira, has revealed. Speaking to The New Times, Rwiyamirira said pyrethrum farmers have been grouped under 23 cooperatives, to ease access to technical, logistical as well as financial support. He noted that production of pyrethrum had in the past years drastically reduced due to disorganization among farmers’ cooperatives. Rwiyamirira explained that when Horizon Ltd purchased 70% shares in SOPYRWA, and took over its management last year, dry flowers production has increased from 209 to more than 600 metric tones in 2008/9. The company projects a 300% overall increase in production next year, he said. According Rwiyamirira, a total of 2,720 hectares of land has been cultivated in 2009 compared to the average 1,400 hectares under the former management. He said that because the company purchases the crop on cash basis, farmers are encouraged to grow more, adding that the biggest challenge is lack of adequate seed stocks for planting. Ends