Over 350 exhibitors at 2023 Agri-show urged to make use of available opportunities

By Elias Hakizimana.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) has concluded a week-long 16th National Agri-show in Kigali, requesting the exhibitors to make use of available opportunities to boost Agribusiness sector.

The call was made by Ildephonse Musafiri, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources during his official closing remark of the Exhibition at Mulindi, Gasabo Agriculture Show Ground on July 29, 2023.

“The message we can give to farmers in general is that we have many projects and partners who are supporting you, USAID, HINGA WUNGUKE, FAO who are supporting beekeeping and others who are in the value addition, we want to make sure you are sustained, you must make these opportunities more productive and use well the funds you get, use them to make these projects more sustainable to help us reach where we want to go,” Musafiri said.

Minister emphasized on professional agriculture to help eradicating poverty by using technology to improve farm productivity and make much revenues.

“We wish to see the top tycoons coming from Agriculture and Livestock in the next couple of years and this is something possible, I request you to put in your mind the business mindset when you are dealing with Agriculture, make follow up on farms and plantations, put enough fertilizers, do investments and make close on-site supervisions to control pests and diseases to ensure you get returns on your investments,” Musafiri added.

Best Exhibitors awarded certificates

Among the best Exhibitors who secured the awards include COPABINYA Farmer Service Center (FSC) , an initiative by Feed the Future HINGA WUNGUKE USAID funded project with the Agro-dealers’ association in Nyamagabe district.

The Farmer Service Center (FSC) is a One Stop Shop to improve access for Agro inputs and services to farmers.

The center helped farmers in Nyamagabe district and others countrywide to increase farm produce according to Donatille Mukakomeza, President of COPABINYA Farmer Service Center.

“The center is located in Nyamagabe district, Tare sector, we provide different services to farmers including timely agro-inputs (fertilizers, limes, animal medicines, animal feeds) and we provide with them some helpful pieces of advice to help them increase produce in quantity and quality. We have agronomists and vet pharmacies near the farmers to make sure they get timely services,” Mukakomeza said.

The 16th National Agriculture Show has been held under the theme “Transforming Agriculture into a Resilient and Competitive Sector through Technology, Innovation and Investment”

According to MINAGRI, around 350 exhibitors showcased agriculture solutions at this Agri-show 2023. It was attended by over 40,000 visitors who came to explore the new technologies and innovative solutions within agriculture development.

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