300 tonnes of Vanilla for grabs in Kagera

AUTHORITIES in Kagera Region have invited private companies to buy the vanilla crop by offering competitive prices to the farmers.

Acting Kagera Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), Mr Isaya Tendega, made the revelation during a stakeholders’ meeting that was attended by vanilla farmers, representatives of private companies and agricultural experts from the eight councils.

“The government is inviting private companies to buy the vanilla crop by offering competitive prices to the farmers. Over 300 tonnes of vanilla crop is ready for selling while buyers should buy a kilogramme of vanilla at 15,000/-,” he said.

He, however, directed District Agricultural Irrigation and Cooperative Officers (DAICO) in the eight councils namely — Muleba, Bukoba DC, Biharamulo, Ngara, Karagwe, Kyerwa, Missenyi and Bukoba MC to register the vanilla farmers and assist them to form Agricultural Marketing and Cooperative Societies (AMCOS).

“This will facilitate easy traceability of the vanilla farmers to know where they are located and how much vanilla had been produced. DAICOs in the eight councils should also register the vanilla farmers and assist them to form AMCOS,” he said.

Meanwhile, Natural Extraits Industries Company (NEI Ltd) has paid council levy amounting 81.9m/- for the vanilla crop the company bought from farmers in Kagera Region during 2021/2022 crop season.

NEI Ltd  Communication Officer, Mr Silas Noah explained that during the 2021/2022 season the company bought a total of 93.3 tonnes of vanilla from farmers in the region and managed to pay council levy amounting 81.9m/-.