Chili farmers in Rwanda's Kayonza District face obstacles related to ineffective pesticides and unstable market prices, resulting in a loss of six tons last season. The GIKADINI Cooperative, which translates to "Live a Healthy Life in Kabare by Growing Fruits and Vegetables," highlights that the pesticides from their contractor failed against a disease affecting both fresh and dried chili crops. The president, Venuste Nkundimana, said, "This disease is devastating," noting that despite spending considerably on pesticides and fertilizers, crop failures persisted. Such challenges hinder his ability to recover wages paid to laborers.
Nkundimana outlines that chili farming has provided benefits like purchasing a motorcycle, livestock, land, and funding education. Nevertheless, dependency on private contractors for high-cost chili seeds remains an issue, notably with the Badaye (green chili) seeds costing Rwf5 million ($3,900) per kilogram. Contractors dominate pricing and payment structures, with no public seed market available. Nkundimana criticized this dependency: "The contractor sets the price, and we repay after harvest." The cooperative also cultivates Teja, a red chili dried post-harvest.
Farmer Anne Marie Uwiragiye expanded her chili farming to one hectare, achieving significant yields and successfully repaying a bank loan of approximately $2,300. Growers are calling for farm-gate prices of at least $0.80 per kilogram for Badaye and $1.60 for Teja, although Teja is currently selling for around $1.45. The cooperative has strengthened the community, leading to more home renovations, increased health insurance coverage, and improved school attendance. However, attempts to obtain feedback from contractors were unsuccessful.
The District's Vice Mayor for Economic Development, Hope Munganyinka, recognized farmers' issues and promised further action. She commented that contractors must ensure seed quality, hinting that direct discussions between the cooperative and the contractor could be beneficial. Munganyinka mentioned prior district support aimed at reducing post-harvest losses, including aid for building drying facilities and purchasing processing gear via tourism revenue-sharing funds. She also indicated plans to engage with RAB to analyze the disease further and suggest solutions.
In a region where over 76 per cent are in agriculture, the difficulties faced by GIKADINI highlight larger challenges for the sector. Farmers request government actions like seed certification, subsidies, and market regulation. Founded in 2017 and officially a cooperative by 2019, GIKADINI grew significantly from its initial 50-acre start, now including 87 members farming over 180 hectares, yielding over 600 tons of fresh chili and 38 tons of dried chili last season.
Source: The New Times