IFC supports Rwanda farmers

Posted on :Monday , 31st August 2015

Local maize farmers will be supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group which extended a loan of $25million to Bralirwa Ltd (Brasserie et Limonnaderies du Rwanda), funds that will go to sourcing the maize farmers and support Bralirwa in plans of expanding production of soft drinks.

“The funding will support our extensive program in Gisenyi, Kigali and the Ndego farm which is quite important for the IFC,” Managing Director, Bralirwa Ltd, Jonathan Hall said in press briefing in Kigali last week.

The IFC is very interested in working with Bralirwa to strengthen and develop the maize supply chain in Rwanda.

The loan from IFC will contribute to the expansion and upgrade of Bralirwa’s production capacity in Rwanda, including installation of a new bottling line at the soft drinks plant in Kigali, construction of water waste treatment plant and improvements in energy efficiency.

“We have a project with European Cooperative for Rural Development (EUCORD) which focuses on encouraging all the farmers to improve on cropping and post harvest management and strengthen the cooperatives and IFC with its agricultural advisory group is very interested to join us in such programme,” Hall said.

“Bralirwa wants to use local materials to the extent possible and for us any money that can be given to the whole supply chain is very important because this is where you reach out to the cooperatives and the farmers,” Ignace Bacyaha, IFC Resident Representative Rwanda said.

“The loan will promote local maize production and increase livelihoods of 5,000 smallholder farmers by training them in modern farming methods and helping cooperatives to become more professional,” he said.

In addition to the EUCORD, IFC aims at supporting cooperatives to make them efficient and effective so as to create capabilities to increase the crop yields.

Bralirwa expansion plans started in 2012 and close to $160million and now been invested in the beverage operations in Kigali and Gisenyi and the irrigated maize farm in Ndego Kayonza.

“The financing from IFC is yet another milestone for Bralirwa and recognition of our efforts to support economic growth in Rwanda,” Chairman of Bralirwa, Boudewijn Haarsma said according to a statement.

Improving productivity in agriculture, promoting inclusive growth in rural areas and helping companies find business opportunities through adoption of environmental and social best practices are part of IFC’s strategy for improving food security and rural incomes.

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