Rwanda : Government woes private sector into seed business
The ministry of agriculture has continued its bid to invite the private sector to come on board and provide variety of quality seeds that are suitable for Rwandan soils.
This campaign is expected to cut costs of farmers importing seeds.
The Ministry says it wants to work with seed providers, through attracting the private sector to involve them in the Rwanda seed industry.
Seeds remain difficult for farmers to afford due to high costs. The ministry finds it important to create competition through increased companies that can provide affordable commodity prices.
This week, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Agnes Kalibata met Pannar Seed Company to discuss what seed varieties can be used in Rwanda.
Pannar Seed Company commenced operation in Rwanda through Murphy Chemicals in 2011, and provides white hybrid maize seeds and sunflower hybrids to the country. Pannar first supplied 1,500 metric tons of High Altitude White Hybrid Maize in 2011 and 2012.
The company also offers other varieties of the white hybrid maize, including early to medium maturities, and mid to high altitudes.
According to Kalibata, it is imperative that Pannar conduct further performance trials in different areas of Rwanda, to determine the best and most suitable varieties in accordance with areas and climatic conditions.
“It is well known that Rwanda has a wide array of conditions spanning across country. Its hilly landscape lead to numerous altitude levels across a short span area, as well as varying levels of acidity and humidity throughout the country.
This makes it difficult to choose just one variety of crop seeds, and research crucial to the process of disseminating seeds for planting” Kalibata said.
So far, through trials, Pannar has generated 5-8 tons per hectare with four different varieties on Kirehe Site.
They plan to continue executing performance trials and test varieties under various conditions before choosing ideal varieties suitable for Rwanda.
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