Ruanda: Developments in Rwandan potato seeds
A recently formed Irish potato seed Fund Company composed of farmers’ cooperatives and seed multipliers, aims to increase the supply of quality seeds to boost crop production in the Northern and Western provinces.
The Fund company is based in Musanza district and the company capital is Rwf200 million, with 10,000 shares valued at Rwf20,000 each.Over 3,000 farmers are expected to be involved in the project, which will help farmers access adequate quality seeds at the time of planting, and increase business linkages among potato seed value chain actors.
The farmers’ current seed demand is over 40 tonnes.But 75 per cent of the seeds are distributed informally, according to Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) officials.Through the company, farmers have committed to build a potato seed value chain, ensure availability of quality potato seeds in the zone, while also supporting other emerging entrepreneurs.
The objective is to improve the supply of potato seeds through decentralised trading, agreed upon by all the value chain actors based on the estimated demand of potato seeds, according to farmers.Isaac Nzabarinda, the president of Irish potato seed cooperatives in the country, told The New Times that the company will help them improve the quality of seeds and work closely as farmers to modernise the sector."The new company will now help us work together to ensure seed multiplication.
We used to work individually and the produce was not enough, we only had four greenhouses but we are now counting over twenty and we have modernised them. "Jean Claude Izamuhaye, the RAB representative in the Northern Province, acknowledged that it has always been difficult for RAB to avail seeds to farmers.He explained that, currently, farmers get 25 per cent of seeds formally while 75 per cent is distributed through what is known as Best of Farmer Saved seeds.
"The current production of Irish potatoes stands at between 25 and 29 tonnes per hectare but with improved seeds and use of new farming techniques, the produce could increase to 40 tonnes per hectare," siad Izamuhaye.Irish potatoes are mainly grown in four districts, namely, Rubavu, Nyabihu, Musanze and Burera.Farmers have benefited from the support by the International Fertiliser Development Centre (IFDC) in capacity building, seed production techniques, training in seed business entrepreneurship, and greenhouse building.
Fuente: http://www.freshplaza.com/article/151125/Developments-in-Rwandan-potato-seeds
