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Rwanda Gains State-of-the-Art Facility for Processing Fruits and Vegetables for Export
The Rwandan government, in collaboration with its partners, has officially unveiled a modern facility designed to process agricultural produce before it is exported to international markets.
Farmers who grow vegetables and fruits have expressed their satisfaction with the new facility, stating that it has come at the right time, as it will help preserve their harvest and prevent spoilage.
Jacques Turahirwa, a vegetable farmer from Nyagatare district, emphasized that the facility will prevent the spoilage of their produce, stating: "Our produce used to spoil because we lacked proper storage facilities, which discouraged us from continuing to grow vegetables. But with this new facility, we will no longer face losses."
Imaniriho, a fruit farmer from Muhanga district, echoed similar sentiments, reinforcing that the facility will eliminate the losses they had previously suffered due to spoilage.
Dr. Patrick Karangwa, the Director General in charge of Agricultural Development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), described the facility as an opportunity for farmers. It will enable them to export their produce without fear of spoilage, accelerating their development.
"This solves the problem of wasted produce. We're glad to see more solutions emerging.We encourage farmers to take full advantage of these opportunities to boost their development."
Hibbert Grant, the facility’s Director, explained that the facility aims to assist exporters, especially those dealing with fruits and vegetables. One of its key features is its ability to store avocados for up to five weeks without spoilage.
The National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) stated that the volume of exports, particularly flowers, fruits, and vegetables, has significantly increased, thanks to the growing demand in international markets.
In recent years, Rwanda has increased the export of high-value crops such as avocados, beans, and peas. For instance, in 2020, Rwanda exported about 48,000 metric tons of fruits and vegetables, a significant increase from previous years.
Agricultural exports contribute around 60% of Rwanda's total export earnings. In 2020, Rwanda's agricultural exports were valued at over $500 million USD, with significant contributions from flowers, tea, coffee, and horticultural products.
