Launched on 28th day of November 2018, an sms based platform that deliver 4 in 1 services to farmers (Access to Input and Output Markets, Credit and Extension) is an initiative by EAFF (East African Farmers Federation) that aims at improving the income and living standards of participating e-Granary smallholder farmers in Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda The project will run for 36 months being implemented by IMBARAGA Farmers Organisation and NCCR in Rwanda.
“We first found that the market gap and low prices especially of cereals and beans are key challenges when we compare to the efforts invested-in. From there we decided as Eastern African Farmers’ Federation to put efforts together in spreading information based on the produce we have. We used to have quality and enough produce but other countries could miss out of that information.” Said Munyakazi Jean Paul, Legal Representative of IMBARAGA
MUNYAKAZI Jean Paul, The Legal Representative of IMBARAGA
“The main problem is not lack of markets, but the markets that provide us the benefits that match with our invested efforts.” He added.
e-Granary intend 20000 beneficiaries in Rwanda(50% women) distributed among rice, maize and beans value chains of which 10000 are from NCCR affiliated farmers organizations and 10000 from IMBARAGA members where the project activities will be centered o 2 major components: Access to Services and Capacity Building and Knowledge Management (see eGranary project on www.imbaraga.og for more info)
Murekezi said that the platform will facilitate farmers to get agriculture inputs, access to markets where they will be linked to buyers of their produce.
“Our Mission as the ministry is to transform agriculture sector to ensure it contributes effectively to the economic growth. One of the areas we are focusing on is farmer’s profitability and commercialization by ensuring we increase the returns to our capital. We look forward to working closely with farmers and we believe the e-Granary will boost the profitability and development of our farmers,” Murekezi noted.
In line with handling market gap, the mobile technology will see the capacity building of smallholder farmers and will link them with consumers of their produce especially rice, maize and beans. A farmer will have access to information in regard with efficient prices, and will get to know who and where are the clients.
Memorandum of Understanding with the microfinance Institutions will be signed to ease investment in agribusiness and discuss on how to reduce interest rate as currently a farmer is required to pay between 19-24 percent and our activities get slow benefits an in a long period,” hence, farmers will access financial services “loans” from the microfinance Institutions to buy seeds and fertilizers or extend their activities.
European Union Ambassador Nicola Bellomo said that this initiative is a key input to development especially in this sector of agriculture by improving the efficiency and profitability of agribusiness.
“I think the technology is very important element into this sector and agriculture represents endless opportunities. This is also good as it will improve living condition of the people,” the Ambassador said.
Written by:
NYIRASAFARI Dativa
Communication Officer/IMBARAGA
