Finding markets for seed potatoes COAPOM is a potato seed cooperative located in Cyanika sector, Burera District, Northern province near the Ugandan border. It started in 2009 and has 69 members. Like many newly created organizations, it had some challenges at the beginning and it struggled to find access to markets. COAPOM started working with SPARK in 2013. After a number of training sessions, the cooperative improved its management. It has a storage facility that can hold a great production. Members of the cooperative felt more confident and worked hard to increase production and improve their revenues. “Thanks to proximity coaching, we manage to be connected to new markets and increased our network of buyers”, says Rosalie Dusabimana (photo), deputy chairperson of COAPOM. “We do produce between 30 and 50 tons of potato seed per season and we no longer have a problem of selling them”, she adds. The cooperative managed to get contracts from other cooperatives and local NGOs. Members of the cooperative are proud of what they have learnt.”We are now able to duplicate what we learnt to newly created cooperatives”, said Jeannette Dusengimana, a member of the cooperative. 24
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