The cooperative “Hagurukadukore” needs support – 2024-08-26 17:07:45 – 2024-08-26 17:07:48

Training on developing a business plan, credits and land for farming: these are the main needs of the Hagurukadukore cooperative (COHADU) based on Rusiga hill, in the commune of Rugombo, Cibitoke province, in the northwest of the country. Initiated by three women with the aim of becoming financially independent, the cooperative currently has about fifteen members.

“In order to become financially independent, we decided to create a cooperative called “Hagurukadukore” of Cibitoke. The targeted sectors were agriculture, livestock and trade,” explains Marie Louise Uwimana, secretary of the cooperative.

According to her, the determination is there. “The first step was to comply with the legislation, that is to say, to be recognized by the National Agency for the Promotion and Regulation of Cooperative Societies (ANACOOP), to hold a trade register and a Tax Identification Number (NIF). This was done in July 2023,” she said before indicating that the cooperative started with a capital of 3 million BIF invested in agriculture, on a plot of land measuring one hectare, where we grow rice and corn. Unfortunately, the rice harvest was not good. She insists that, despite this failure, the team remains determined to achieve its goal.

Cultivable land is becoming increasingly rare

Mrs. Uwimana says the cooperative does not have its own land to practice agriculture and is forced to rent land. “These lands are becoming more and more expensive,” she laments.

The rental costs for a 30 m² plot of land are currently estimated at 1 million 200 thousand BIF for one season. “We have requested the help of qualified people to obtain arable land, but we have not obtained a favorable result,” notifies the secretary of COHADU.

Insufficient credits

Ms. Uwimana regrets that some banks require the presentation of a bankable project before granting credits. “The problem is not this requirement, but rather the amount granted, which is often insufficient compared to the budget planned in the project,” she explains. For example, the COHADU cooperative presented a bankable project valued at 60 million BIF, but the bank only offered 7 million BIF.

“This amount does not even cover the costs of agricultural inputs and land rental, and this is disorienting our project,” she adds. Rather than entering into conflict with the bank due to the non-repayment of the amount granted, COHADU chose to refuse this insufficient offer.

In addition to the lack of arable land and credit, the secretary of COHADU emphasizes that the members of the cooperative also need training to develop a solid business plan in order to carry out their project.