Posted on February, 19, 2018 at 09:42 am
Minister of State for Agriculture, Fulgence Nsengiyumva, on February 15, 2018, received a Polish delegation of investors and discussed on how to build partnership in Public Private Partnership models where farmers and service providers can have access to low cost farm machinery financing scheme.
The delegation, in Rwanda from the 15th to 17th February 2018, was led by Tomasz Pisula who is Board President of the Polish Trade and Investment Agency. There were also representatives of six major companies interested investing in Rwanda’s agriculture Mechanization, irrigation, and post-harvest handling among other areas.
Minister of State Nsengiyumva thanked the delegation for their keen interest in Rwanda’s agricultural mechanization and pledged the ministry’s support.
The government has developed a proposal for promoting a Private Sector Driven Agriculture Mechanization through providing access to affordable mechanization services with the main aim of developing a sustainable solution to modernize the agriculture sector through appropriate Public Private Partnership models where farmers and service providers have access to low cost farm machinery lease scheme.
This financing mechanism is meant to reduce high cost of the mechanization equipment and the related services in order to transform the agriculture sector from subsistence to market oriented and high value addition sector.
The government rationalizes the promotion of agricultural mechanization in its primary goal of turning agriculture into a market-oriented and value-adding sector through increased productivity and higher crop quality for food security and economic growth.
Generally, the use of farm machinery is more widespread in the eastern part of the country, where gentler slopes and larger farm holdings allow for the efficient use of mechanized tools and large equipment.
The polish companies said they are prepared to adapt their farm machineries according to local environment. They also said they are ready to train Rwandans on how to assemble and repair the machines, and how to manage storage facilities.
The delegation is also scheduled to meet with other government officials to discuss the details of the mechanization project and especially the financing mechanisms of the project and also explore other investment opportunities in Rwanda.
Source: Republic of Rwanda - Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI)