Rusizi District has announced that, starting this Sunday, a cross-border trading company, in collaboration with local industries, will purchase the surplus rice that has gone unsold in the Bugarama Valley. This development comes as a relief to local farmers who have struggled to find buyers for their produce.
Dr. Kibiriga Anicet, Mayor of Rusizi District, informed RBA that 850 tons of rice are currently available on the market, while over 3,000 tons are being stored by cooperatives. This surplus has caused significant concern among farmers, who invested heavily in cultivating the crop only to face difficulties in selling it.
The issue of unsold rice in Bugarama was brought to national attention by President Paul Kagame during a swearing-in ceremony for the Prime Minister and Members of Parliament on August 14, 2024. President Kagame expressed his concern after reading reports on social media about the plight of farmers in the Western Province, who feared the spoilage of thousands of tons of rice due to a lack of buyers.
In his address, President Kagame underscored the responsibility of leaders to ensure that solutions are in place when markets fail to absorb agricultural surpluses.
“These are people with real problems. They invested their energy, their money, and followed the guidance we gave them, doing what we ask of them every day,” President Kagame said. He questioned the logic of asking farmers to continue growing crops without providing a reliable market, highlighting the need for effective planning to avoid such issues in the future.
