KAGERA Regional Commissioner Fatuma Mwasa has highlighted lack of permanent banana markets as a major factor that has led to persistently low prices for the produce in the region.

According to her, despite the big production costs incurred by farmers, bananas fetch lower prices in Kagera compared to neighbouring regions and countries.

Mwasa made the remarks recently during closing ceremony of the World Food Day celebrations which were held at national level in Kagera. The event aimed to raise awareness about food security and sustainable agriculture.

The RC pointed out that while Kagera is one of the leading regions in banana production, local farmers do not reap the benefits they deserve.

“This is disheartening because our farmers spend a lot of costs on production but end up witnessing others in neighbouring countries enjoy good prices,” she said.

 She urged the Ministry of Agriculture to take proactive steps in establishing robust markets that would benefit both farmers and the nation as a whole.

Emphasizing the importance of market access, Mwasa explained that creating border markets and enhancing facilities in districts known for high banana production would enable farmers to expand their market reach.

Currently, many traders undervalue bananas by purchasing them directly from farmers in the fields, often at prices that do not reflect their true value.

For instance, a bunch of bananas weighing 50 kg is sold by farmers in Bukoba, Karagwe, Kyerwa and Muleba districts for between 3,000/- and 10,000/- while in other regions, the same quantity can fetch up to 40,000/-.

Mwasa also noted that traders from neighbouring countries frequently come to buy bananas but do not engage directly with farmers.

She proposed that establishing permanent banana markets at every border would facilitate direct sales, allowing farmers to secure better prices and ensure they receive fair compensation for their hard work.

Furthermore, she asserted that the region's abundant banana production should not be seen as a weakness but rather as an opportunity for economic growth. By improving banana markets for export, Kagera could enhance farmers' incomes and contribute significantly to national revenue.

Deputy Minister for Agriculture David Silinde affirmed that the government is committed to addressing the issue of market accessibility stability.

He announced plans to construct modern banana markets in districts with high production, ensuring that farmers have adequate facilities to sell their produce.

Silinde highlighted the positive trend in national food production, stating that the country has achieved a food production level of 128 percent, indicating a substantial annual increase.

In the 2023/24 season, the total production reached 22.8 million tonnes, surpassing the demand of 17.7 million tonnes, resulting in a surplus of over 5.05 million tonnes.