Organic Agriculture farmers, producers showcased local commodities through ROAM’s Mardi-Bio Exhibition

By Elias Hakizimana.

Various local organic farmers and producers across the country have participated to the one-day exhibition of organic products produced from Rwanda.

Dubbed ‘Mardi Bio- Meet the Farmer, Know the Source’, the exhibition was held in Kigali on December 8, 2020 in Kigali and it brought together over 20 organic farmers and producers from various districts of Rwanda.

The exhibition was held under the efforts of Rwanda organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) and Youth in Agroecology business learning Track Africa (YALTA Initiative) in collaboration with different stakeholders involved in the organic sector in Rwanda.

Dominic Savio Imbabazi, a local organic farmer producer is the Chief Executive Officer of Golden Insect Limited that produces organic fertilizers, animal and human foods from the insects in Musanze District has participated to the exhibition.

He explained that his business which he calls ‘unusual’ within the agribusiness sector in Rwanda is still publicly unknown. He expects having more consumer awareness after showcasing these products in Mardi Bio organic commodity fair.

“I grow different kinds and species of insects including Red worms, giant land snails, black flies, maggots, and more. The red worms for example are used to produce vermi compost which is a good organic fertilizer, contributing to the environment protection. I hope that this exhibition will help me to have many people from the public to know what I produce and the key rationale behind consuming organic food commodities.” Imbabazi noted.

Colette Musengimana, a staff from Agropy, a company that produces organic pesticides and hand sanitizers also participated to the exhibition.

She said that the awareness created by the exhibition is an added value to their products that include pesticides for cattle.

Damier Manirakiza, a professional farmer of organic avocadoes and coffee from Huye District said that organic food commodities contribute to food security and financial development. He grows avocadoes on 2 hectares and coffee on 5 hectares.

Emerithe Mutezinka, organic beetroot farmer from Musanze Diustrict in the Northern Province revealed how she reaps big from organic beetroots.

“I plant them using organic fertilizers, I harvest 700 kilograms worth Rwf700,000. I sell them in hotels as our neighborhood is around Tourism-based activities. The exhibition is very important for me because many people will know that there are organic beetroots in the country.” She said.

Emerithe Hatangimfura, another organic farmer who grows small specie papayas from Busogo sector in Musanze district said that these organic fruits are good for kids, pregnant women and mature people.  

Ms. Lise Chantal Dusabe, Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) told The Inspirer that the exhibition aims at raising Rwandans’ awareness on organic agriculture products.

She said that the exhibition gathered together different members of the network of organic farmers in Rwanda and among them some are at high level with certificates to produce organic products while others are still facing a problem of high cost of organic certificates.

“We are promoting participatory farming business and we are doing an advocacy to request partners to reduce the cost of certification of organic agriculture products. We need that Rwandans find available organic products at local markets. We have around 5,000 members grouped in different cooperatives under the network of organic farmers in Rwanda. Having this awareness is a significant step for us.” Dusabe noted.

Among the showcased organic certified products include coffe, tea,pineaples and essential oils.

About ROAM

Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) is an umbrella organization of different stakeholders involved in the organic sector in Rwanda.

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