The Gatsibo District of Rwanda is transitioning from a traditional subsistence agricultural economy to a developing agro-industrial economy. The Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP), as part of the national initiative, will support this transition by increasing agricultural productivity while encouraging greater investment in value addition/processing.
As locals come together to learn about successes and lessons gained from the project, Joy Abesiga Ruburika who started the Kabarore Maize Flour Processing Company and produces "Karibu," a brand of maize flour was one of the featured speakers to share about her experience using the resources available through SAIP.
Ruburika’s processing operation is located in Kabarore Cell and exemplifies both local ambition towards industrialization and the potential of the SAIP program to transform local agriculture into a commercial success. The SAIP program provided Ruburika with a matching grant that covered 70% of total project costs. She provided 30% as her own.
The enterprise both contributes to job creation, builds a local supply chain, and builds Gatsibo's capacity to produce value added products through agro-processed goods. According to Ruburika, the support she received was more than financial.
"The support I received provided me with the confidence to strive for higher. I went from thinking of myself as a small trader to thinking about building a business in agro-industry. My advice to farmers especially women is to think bigger and invest money to create additional value from the products; we have to think about ourselves not only as growers but also as processors and leaders of agribusiness."
Exchange of knowledge was a part of the participative learning experience where participants were able to share their experiences and exchange best practices within the context of rural economic development, reinforcing the value of working together in the development of rural economies.
Jean Leonard Sekanyange, Vice Mayor Responsible for Economic Development, stated that "the impact of SAIP on our district has been phenomenal in regards to crop production and horticulture to livestock developmental and processing capacity. I encourage beneficiary to maximize all the opportunities available to them; expand operations and continue to contribute to the economic growth of Gatsibo."
Based on recent progress by Ezra Mutabaruka (SAIP Project Manager), the overall success of Gatsibo is consistent with achieving strategic goals within the next phase of SAIP:
“Our vision for the next phase is simple we want you to be successful. Our goal is to increase agricultural productivity, empower food security, and enhance throughput along value chains. We will assist you to increase your production while providing support for you to add value to that production in order to create quality value-added high-value products.”
Joy Ruburika's processing facility represents more than just an emerging business, but also represents a change in perspective within Gatsibo as farmers begin to view commercial agriculture as a progressive and viable method of sustainability versus purely subsistence level activity.
The growing number of similar initiatives will help to provide a solid base of sustainable agribusiness development in Gatsibo and serve as a model for successful local economies and long-term job creation through targeted investments, entrepreneurship and knowledge sharing.
Written by Alice DUSABIMANA.
