“We brought together farmers, livestock keepers, buyers, and value addition actors to discuss available opportunities, address challenges, and find solutions together,” said Dr Muhawenimana Abed Cherf, Managing Director of Inkunga Finance Plc.
Inkunga Finance Plc has brought together farmers, livestock keepers, agricultural product buyers, and value addition stakeholders in a forum aimed at strengthening market linkages, addressing challenges, and unlocking new opportunities across agricultural value chains.
The Farmer-Offtaker Forum was held on Thursday, 30 July 2026, at Karongi District Conference Hall and was organized by Inkunga Finance Plc in partnership with Opportunity AgFinance International, a key partner in the initiative.
Speaking during the forum, Inkunga Finance Managing Director, Dr Muhawenimana Abed Cherf said the meeting was organized to create a platform where producers and market actors could engage, share experiences, and develop solutions to challenges affecting the agricultural sector.
This initiative was organized to connect farmers and livestock keepers who produce agricultural and livestock products with those who buy or add value to these products. As a financial institution, we support both sides. Farmers receive loans that help them increase production, but when they lack markets, they face challenges. On the other hand, value addition companies also tell us they lack sufficient raw materials. Therefore, bringing these groups together creates a platform where they can work together,”
he said.
He explained that the forum brought together actors from different value chains, including coffee, rice, tea, banana, fruits and vegetables, as well as livestock farming, to discuss opportunities and barriers affecting their businesses.
The challenges discussed here will help government institutions and partners jointly identify solutions. Participants also shared their experiences, allowing others to learn from successful practices while addressing common obstacles,”
Muhawenimana added.
The forum also highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships between financial institutions, producers, buyers, and value addition companies to ensure sustainable growth in agriculture.
Representing Karongi District leadership, the District Executive Secretary, Mrs Narangwe Celestine Liliane appreciated Inkunga Finance for its contribution to improving citizens’ livelihoods through financial support and business development opportunities.
We recognize the important role Inkunga Finance Plc plays in providing loans to our citizens, enabling them to develop their businesses and become self-reliant instead of depending on government support. We appreciate that this national-level meeting was hosted in Karongi District because it creates opportunities that benefit our residents and contributes to local economic development. We assure you of our continued partnership in promoting citizens’ development,”
he said.
Among the participants was Gasana Valens, a potato farmer and seed multiplier from Nyamagabe District, who praised Inkunga Finance for supporting farmers through access to finance.
I am a potato farmer and seed multiplier, supplying quality potato seeds across the country. We cultivate on 15 hectares of land provided by the district. We would not have achieved this without the loan support from Inkunga Finance, which enabled us to expand our activities, and we continue to work closely with them,”
he said.
Gasana identified transportation of agricultural produce to markets as one of the challenges faced by farmers. In response, Muhawenimana Abed Cherf explained that Inkunga Finance also provides financing solutions for farmers and businesses seeking to acquire transport facilities to improve market access.
The Farmer-Offtaker Forum is part of Inkunga Finance’s efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains by connecting producers with buyers and businesses involved in value addition. Through its partnership with Opportunity AgFinance International, the institution continues to support farmers and agribusiness actors, including more than 800 groups that have benefited from their collaboration.
Representing Opportunity AgFinance International, Ritah Kanyana commended the strong partnership with Inkunga Finance, noting that the collaboration has played a significant role in helping farmers and buyers expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
Gashonga Jean Claude
