Feature: Chinese farming technology helps Rwandan farmer achieve prosperity
DATE:2016-01-25 SOURCE:Xinhua News Agency
Hu Yingping, an expert from China Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, talks to colleagues at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center. (Xinhua/Yang Mengxi)
KIGALI, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Born in Rusizi district, Rwanda''s Western Province, Emeritha Nyivabizimana, 45, says Chinese technology has helped boost her mushroom cultivation business that started 2013.
Nyivabizimana, founder of Imanzi Spectrum Center, says the idea of starting her mushroom business came after reading much and knowing the health benefits of mushroom.
"Despite the fact that I was dealing with other different kinds of work in rural areas mainly as a consultant, mushroom farming was my dreams. I got peace after fulfilling my dreams," she says.
Mushroom tubes made at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center. (Xinhua/Yang Mengxi)
Holding a Master''s Degree in political, economic and social development studies, she did not hesitate about joining mushroom farming that was not her career as a consultant.
With a smile on her face, the mother of five kids says this has helped her take care of her family and other needs.
Nyivabizimana started her business in 2013 after she studied mushroom farming at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center.
Last year, Nyivabizimana went to China Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University to study for three weeks to improve her skills of planting mushroom.
She says what she learnt will help improve her business.
"Although I did not take years while learning in China, their training has helped me boost my business and learnt other methods of farming that will be put into consideration," Nyivabizimana says.
The more she learns about mushroom farming, the more she realizes that something is missing in her farming business, she says.
Mushrooms cultivated at the China-Rwanda Agriculture Technology Demonstration Center. (Xinhua/Yang Mengxi)
"I need a packaging machine to improve on my packaging method, which can help boost the export of mushrooms," she says.
Right now, her center have many clients including hotels like Serena, restaurants, individuals and supermarkets.
The products of the center include mushroom, mushroom powder, dry mushroom, and tubes of mushroom. The center sells 15,000 to 20,000 tubes of mushrooms per month. The center also sells 20 or more bottles of mushroom powder per month.
Now the center has 12 permanent workers and at times they hire more 20 part time workers.
"Customers come from as far as Congo and Ghana to the center to buy mushroom and powder. Right now the center is negotiating with Dubai to sell mushroom or dry mushroom to Dubai," she adds.