Rwanda which now produces 15% of the world’s pyrethrum has now become one of Rwanda’s potential business prospects, a business that Rwanda not only profits from economically but also greatly benefits local farmers.
Pyrethrum is a small white flower that is found in many gardens, along the streets and on our kitchen window sills, A natural, flowered pesticide that is currently on very high demand on the global market.
But this flower can only be grown purely with almost 70% to 80% of it active ingredients in only four countries worldwide, Kenya, Australia, Tanzania and lastly Rwanda.
SOPYRWA, Rwanda’s only pyrethrum refinery industry that had nearly collapsed is now being revived. When Horizon Group took over SOPYRWA in 2008, the refinery was running at only 6% of installed capacity, Last year, while the global market share surged from 6% to 15%, and export revenues increased by 380%, the pyrethrum flower production increased from 209 to 700 megatons.
The increase in the production of the pyrethrum contributed to the household incomes of over 8,000 farmers and increased land under pyrethrum cultivation.
Kenya which had dominated the production of the pyrethrum flower for the last decade, producing at least 70% of the worlds trade, has collapsed due to mishandling and delayed payments to farmers which caused a massive drop in the production hence leaving Rwanda a huge advantage, with not only it’s ideal weather climate with its volcanic soil which is perfect for the flower nutrients, but also with its increase in business environment
Now SOPYRWA is focusing on re-building, with Rwanda having one of the richest volcanic soil, it has the potential to produce some of the world’s best pyrethrum, SOPYRWA’S aim is to increase the flower pyrethrum up to 20% of the global market, by working with private cooperatives whom deal directly with the famers whom make up at least 15,000 plus their families, framers will receive higher prices, a stronger seeds and most beneficial is immediate payment.
Working with a UK based global partnerships and Rwandan government backing; SOPYRWA is developing additional products for the local region.
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