Experts call for more investment in Rwanda potato production and storage

The private sector has been urged to invest in Rwanda's Irish potato production so as to address the shortage and help prevent price fluctuations.

In a three-day workshop that brought together academicians, experts from the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers at Ruhenge High Learning Institution INES, it was decided that measures should be taken to limit the shortage. The workshop ended yesterday.

Last year, between July and November, the price of Irish potatoes skyrocketed to Rwf300 per kilogramme before drastically falling to Rwf80, leaving farmers counting losses

The price fluctuation was attributed to unfavourable weather patterns and lack of storage facilities. Other causes identified are inadequate seeds for planting and shortage of seed multipliers.

The farmers are not efficiently using fertilisers which affects their yields, the participants said.

Francois Nsengiyumva, the Board chairperson of the Post Harvest and Storage Taskforce at the Ministry of Agriculture, urged the private sector to invest in storage facilities.

He said prices will stabilise once the produce is well stored.

Rwanda Agriculture Board will work with universities and individual researchers to multiply Irish potato seeds so that farmers use high quality seeds, he said.

“The supply is inadequate due to high demand but this should not be seen as a threat but rather an advantage for farmers. Farmers need to join cooperatives and use modern methods to boost their production,” Nsengiyumva said.

Northern and Western Provinces of Rwanda have fertile soils around Volcanoes National Park which are favourable for Irish potato growing.