Kenyans urged to go farm in Rwanda

Rwanda is urging Kenyans to help in developing its struggling horticulture industry.

A delegation from Kigali, who participated in the International Flower Trade Exhibition in Nairobi a week ago, encouraged Kenyan growers and exporters to invest in Rwanda.

Simon Ethangatta, a Kenyan working with Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture as a technical advisor in horticulture development, said Rwanda lacks the infrastructure required to fully exploit its potential for fresh produce.

Mr Ethangatta, a former chairman of the Fresh Produce Exporters Association of Kenya (FPEAK), led the delegation to look for established exporters willing to invest in Rwanda.

The country has an ideal climate for fresh produce. “The entire country is made up of highlands with year-round rainfall. It also has the natural humidity suitable for long stem and big headed flowers — a favourite with international markets,” he said.

He added that Rwanda can supply summer flowers when Kenya gets into its dry spells.

“Summer flowers in Kenya are grown by smallholders who rely on rain-fed farming, so when it becomes dry supplies dwindle and so Rwanda wants to offer an alternative,” he said.

At the moment, the country is not exporting much and most of the fresh produce is consumed locally or within the regional markets.

Other reports indicate that there is a shortage of fruits and vegetables globally, such as green beans (French beans) and snow peas, which can do well in Rwanda and which have been identified for exporting.

FPEAK chief executive officer Stephen Mbithi concurs that Rwanda’s climate is ideal for crops and Kigali is keen to work with Kenyan growers. “We have met President Kagame who is personally pushing for the partnerships,” he said.

Rwanda’s push for horticulture development kicked off in 2006 when the government established the Rwanda Horticulture Development Agency (Rhoda), which was mandated to assess the potential of the sector and introduce new crops.

(ALSO READ: Rwanda to invest $75m in horticulture exports)

The goal was to seek ways of growing fresh produce to the level of tea and coffee — the country’s key agricultural exports.

Last year, Rhoda was placed under the National Agriculture Export Board, which was established to promote the country’s agricultural exports.

Head of horticulture at the board Nsanzabaganwa Epimaque said Rwanda wants to borrow from Kenya’s experience in fresh produce trading and production.

According to Tony Nsanganira, head of agribusiness Rwanda Development Board, the government views horticulture as a key to diversifying exports in order to bridge the trade deficit by increasing foreign exchange earnings.

Investment friendly

He added that Rwanda, currently rated by the World Bank as the most investment friendly in East Africa and third on the continent, has recorded an average of six per cent GDP in the past six years making it attractive to foreign investors.

To woo investors, the country has established a 24-hour one-stop-shop to register businesses, issue work permits and visas, offer banking, legal and statutory services in one office ran by the board.

“This has been one of our winning strategies as it saves investors valuable time,” he said.

Being a landlocked country makes shipping of fresh produce difficult, while the small volumes make airfreight costs too high.


“Airlines have said we must grow our volumes to bring down the cost of freight”, Mr Ethangatta said.

http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/busi...z/-/index.html

I am against kenyans farming in rwanda because its a very small country. but kenyans should be urged to aquire land and farm in TZ this country is very big and blessed with fertile land. Very soon ccm will fully privatise the land system and kenyans who have long looked at tz with envy will buy land

The thing with Rwanda is they are an open market and that's why Kenyan multinationals have invested heavily there. They are receptive and not afraid.

They also have better rains and the leadership is pro EAC.

Nairoberry said:

I am against kenyans farming in rwanda because its a very small country. but kenyans should be urged to aquire land and farm in TZ this country is very big and blessed with fertile land. Very soon ccm will fully privatise the land system and kenyans who have long looked at tz with envy will buy land

Click to expand...

meanwhile we are sharpening our machetes for your throats!

The Quonquerer said:

meanwhile we are sharpening our machetes for your throats!

Click to expand...

Mbona Kuwachukia wenzetu wakenya??? jemeni kenya is overpopulated and only 1/5th of it is fertile and tanzania is huge and underpopulated whereby almost 90% is fertile. kenyans who are more hardworking can TRANSFORM TANZANIA INTO THE BREADBASKET OF AFRICA. all people know kenyans are more hardworking am ready to sell 100 acres of my family land to a kenyan agricultural company to develop it and we share the proceeds :high5:

This is fun for a country that has over 114,836 IDPs and over 166,366 refugees in DRC (putting aside Congolese of Tutsi and Hutu ethnicities) is offering land to foreigners! The good thing is we r noting their moves and just to assure them none of their noses should ever cross the border and sneak their huge noses in TZ asking for land after signing those 100 years land leases with horticulture MNCs!

Nairoberry said:

Mbona Kuwachukia wenzetu wakenya??? jemeni kenya is overpopulated and only 1/5th of it is fertile and tanzania is huge and underpopulated whereby almost 90% is fertile. kenyans who are more hardworking can TRANSFORM TANZANIA INTO THE BREADBASKET OF AFRICA. all people know kenyans are more hardworking am ready to sell 100 acres of my family land to a kenyan agricultural company to develop it and we share the proceeds :high5:

Click to expand...

ask first Uhuru and Mama Ngina to give u their fertile ample land (about 25% of total Kenya fertile land) in their possession! I always tell Kenyans Germany has nearly half of ur land area at about 300,000 sq km and over twice of ur population at 87 mio. but live at peace in that tiny country! What u lack is land planning and don't die crying for another God given land while u refuse to see urs is in the hand of few thieves who don't use it but love to keep it!

Nairoberry said:

I am against kenyans farming in rwanda because its a very small country. but kenyans should be urged to aquire land and farm in TZ this country is very big and blessed with fertile land. Very soon ccm will fully privatise the land system and kenyans who have long looked at tz with envy will buy land

Click to expand...

And very soon CCM will be out of power. Don't bank on their policies.

Geza Ulole said:

This is fun for a country that has over 114,836 IDPs and over 166,366 refugees in DRC (putting aside Congolese of Tutsi and Hutu ethnicities) is offering land to foreigners! The good thing is we r noting their moves and just to assure them none of their noses should ever cross the border and sneak their huge noses in TZ asking for land after signing those 100 years land leases with horticulture MNCs!
IDMC | Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) in Rwanda

Click to expand...

Geza Ulole,
Ukiisoma hiyo ripoti vizuri, Rwanda haijawapa Wakenya ardhi. Wanahitaji utaalamu wao katika uzalishaji wa maua. Kwa Rwanda hii ni win win situation. Wakati maua ya Kenya ni ya msimu (kutegemea mvua) Rwanda ina uwezo wa kuzalisha maua majira yote ya mwaka na kwa hivi Rwanda inaweza kushirikiana na Kenya katika biashara za maua ili wakati wa msimu wa ukame Kenya maua ya Rwanda yatakuwa yanapatikana kwenye soko la dunia. That is how I read it.

Jasusi said:

Geza Ulole,
Ukiisoma hiyo ripoti vizuri, Rwanda haijawapa Wakenya ardhi. Wanahitaji utaalamu wao katika uzalishaji wa maua. Kwa Rwanda hii ni win win situation. Wakati maua ya Kenya ni ya msimu (kutegemea mvua) Rwanda ina uwezo wa kuzalisha maua majira yote ya mwaka na kwa hivi Rwanda inaweza kushirikiana na Kenya katika biashara za maua ili wakati wa msimu wa ukame Kenya maua ya Rwanda yatakuwa yanapatikana kwenye soko la dunia. That is how I read it.

Click to expand...

Aasante kwa kunisahihisha! Mbona expertise ya kulima maua ipo kubwa tu Tanzania huko Tengeru chini ya wakina mama Mkindi? Kinachohitajika ni kuongeza uzalishaji on our part na kwa vile hii hutegemea soko, hatuwezi zalisha zaidi ya mahitaji ya soko! Has to be steadily....kuna report ilikuwa inaonyesha mikakati ya kilimo cha maua ikiwa na mkakati wa kuanza kulima huko kusini mwa Tanzania haswa baada ya Songwe International Airport kukamilika! Sasa unaweza kuona ucheleweshaji wa Magamba katika mradi huu, una madhara gani katika kujikwamua kiuchumi kwa watu wa huko...!

Jasusi said:

Geza Ulole,
Ukiisoma hiyo ripoti vizuri, Rwanda haijawapa Wakenya ardhi. Wanahitaji utaalamu wao katika uzalishaji wa maua. Kwa Rwanda hii ni win win situation. Wakati maua ya Kenya ni ya msimu (kutegemea mvua) Rwanda ina uwezo wa kuzalisha maua majira yote ya mwaka na kwa hivi Rwanda inaweza kushirikiana na Kenya katika biashara za maua ili wakati wa msimu wa ukame Kenya maua ya Rwanda yatakuwa yanapatikana kwenye soko la dunia. That is how I read it.

Click to expand...

hahahaha, you seriously think our flowers are rain fed? as in we expect the unpredictable rains in Kenya to water what is one of our biggest foreign exchange earners (kshs. 92 billion worth of flowers)? you mean you can't even take two minutes of your ''precious'' time and do a quick Google/bing search and put some credibility in what you blubber? Do some research before you post bruh, it helps alot coz you sounding kinda off in your comment.

Smatta said:

hahahaha, you seriously think our flowers are rain fed? as in we expect the unpredictable rains in Kenya to water what is one of our biggest foreign exchange earners (kshs. 92 billion worth of flowers)? you mean you can't even take two minutes of your ''precious'' time and do a quick Google/bing search and put some credibility in what you blubber? Do some research before you post bruh, it helps alot coz you sounding kinda off in your comment.

Click to expand...

Smatta,
I did not make that claim. The article makes that claim. I was just following the reasons given why Rwanda wants Kenyan cooperation in this horticulture thing.
Here is the quote:
He added that Rwanda can supply summer flowers when Kenya gets into its dry spells.

"Summer flowers in Kenya are grown by smallholders who rely on rain-fed farming, so when it becomes dry supplies dwindle and so Rwanda wants to offer an alternative," he said.

Jasusi said:

Smatta,
I did not make that claim. The article makes that claim. I was just following the reasons given why Rwanda wants Kenyan cooperation in this horticulture thing.
Here is the quote:
He added that Rwanda can supply summer flowers when Kenya gets into its dry spells.

"Summer flowers in Kenya are grown by smallholders who rely on rain-fed farming, so when it becomes dry supplies dwindle and so Rwanda wants to offer an alternative," he said.

Click to expand...

thanks for the correction mkuu.. but from what I know, flowers are exported throughout the year, the small scale horticultural farmers only contribute to a very small percentage of the total flowers exported, but I still get what you have posted.

Smatta said:

hahahaha, you seriously think our flowers are rain fed? as in we expect the unpredictable rains in Kenya to water what is one of our biggest foreign exchange earners (kshs. 92 billion worth of flowers)? you mean you can't even take two minutes of your ''precious'' time and do a quick Google/bing search and put some credibility in what you blubber? Do some research before you post bruh, it helps alot coz you sounding kinda off in your comment.

Click to expand...

Ouch.... u better take ur time to know how seasons r related to agriculture! to u seasons means rain only!? It's amazing....

Nairoberry said:

Mbona Kuwachukia wenzetu wakenya??? jemeni kenya is overpopulated and only 1/5th of it is fertile and tanzania is huge and underpopulated whereby almost 90% is fertile. kenyans who are more hardworking can TRANSFORM TANZANIA INTO THE BREADBASKET OF AFRICA. all people know kenyans are more hardworking am ready to sell 100 acres of my family land to a kenyan agricultural company to develop it and we share the proceeds :high5:

Click to expand...

Mkuu kuna mawili pengine ni chuki ya maendeleo ambayo sidhani kama tunayo! pili ni chuki ile ya kiafrika inayojengwa na choyo, hasada na kijicho. Since rwanda is open market we all knw where Rwandans are economically! sisi juu ya hiyo ardhi uisemayo umesahau kututendea haki yetu ya kutuita wavivu ndio unashangaa nini sisi ni wavivu wa fikra na wavivu wa kutenda kazi! Hii ardhi itakuja kuchukuliwa na watu wachache kwa kuwa hatuna ari ya kuitumia!

Na hata tukiitumia si unaona baada ya mavuno tunavyofanya? ndio wakati wa kuwapeleka watoto jando na kulisha kijiji kizima mpaka watoto wapone! ndio wakati wa kuwacheza mabinti zetu unyago! ikiingia kiangazi hatuna chakula kwenye vilindo vyetu chote tumekitumia kugongomolea pombe!

Kwa kumaliza tu mkuu tena kwa uchungu ni kuwa hawa Rwanda ndio wale tuliokuwa tukiwahifadhi kwenye makambi ya wakimbizi leo wapo mbele miaka kumi kama sio zaidi! Hawa ndio wale walikuwa anachinjana leo wanaipeleka nchi yao kwenye nchi ya maziwa na asali. sisi tukiwa tunalalama shule zetu za msingi hazina madawati wao shule zao za msingi kuna computers which means they have power access as well ambayo sisi bado tunaahidiwa megawati kila kikao cha bunge.

Tuna safari ndefu sana kufikia pale walipofikia wenzetu!

Naomba niishie hapa maana kuna mengi yanakuja yanatia hasira maana nimekumbuka Rwanda wanatumia bandari yetu halafu wao wapo mbele yetu! Agrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Tusiwachukie ndugu zetu wa kenya,ni jamaa zetu,leo kama tanzania ikitokea balaa[janga]watanzania watakimbilia kenya,wengine kongo,burundu,rwanda ,msumbiji.sasa tusijione kama sisi ni sisi.kinachotakiwa kuwa na management nzuri kuanzia sasa kuhusu ardhi,tusitumie ardhi kubwa kwenye kilimo,washauri wa kilimo watueleze ni kinatakiwa ili mazao yawe mengi kwenye ardhi ndogo,pia ujenzi wa nyumba uwe sio wa kuchukua ardhi kubwa,tuanze sasa kujenga nyumba juu ya nyumba fulani[ghorofa]vijijini.hii naita "precaution strgy".na tunafanya hivyo ili kulinda vichochea uchumi wetu ,kama vile wanyama wa polini na wilderness .mungu ibariki tanzania