Banana growers increase production

NGOMA – Banana growers’ cooperative known as Urumuri that is located in Mugesera sector of Ngoma district, has helped farmers to increase their production. Théogène Ntawisi the Managing Director of the cooperative said the outstanding performance of the cooperative has attracted more than 175 members in a very short period of time. He said that the fact that they do not have a common plantation has made it easier for the cooperative, for members are left to engage in individual production. “Ours allows a member to remain with his or her plantation meaning that our obligation as a cooperative is focused on organizing for trainings, buying farm equipments and other inputs,” he said. Leornidas Mazimaka, 55, a member of the cooperative says his plantation has improved production since he joined the cooperative. “I now use manure in my plantation while being able to embrace modern practises such as planting modern varieties. Ignorance had previously denied my 4 hectares of banana plantation, meaningful production. This has now changed drastically,” he said. The banana growers receive constant training on how to grow and manage plantations in a modern way. They have also had a chance to travel to different countries, where bananas are grown extensively so that they may learn from others. “We were in Tanzania and Uganda to gain hands on experience from banana growers in those countries. We have also gained from Belgium sponsored trainings in various fields,” the cooperative manager said. Banana growers within the cooperative have drastically increased production, and a single member can harvest over a hundred bunches of bananas. Ends