Jean Paul Ntezimana, a final year student at Musanze Polytechnic in Agriculture and Food Processing, won the 1^st place at provincial level Youth Connekt Awards 2017 competition in the Northern Province.Through pitching, he showcased his “Iyiwacu Wine” from sweet potatoes, and beat other two contestants that reached the provincial level. This devoted young entrepreneur got an award of 1,000,000Frw.

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Ntezimana’s innovation is an adding value to sweet potatoes to increase shelf-life and marketability. The residues, obtained in from the production of the “Iyiwacu Wine,” are processed into the biofuel (bioethanol), the biscuits and doughnuts.

He revealed that his business idea is from his business aims at reducing the wastage of potatoes harvest, and contributing to the use of local resources. Ntezimana took advantage of the laboratory facilities at the university to conduct further research on juice and wine-making, as well as refine their production processes and formulas with support from his lecturers.

Ntezimana was inspired by the need to add value to potatoes and reduce the wastage of harvest, right after studying the Food Processing related courses at Musanze Polytechnic. “It started as a school project, when I and my classmates worked on the juice production. I further thought about going beyond, and then I produced the wine by responding to the present challenges in the community,” he said.

Ntezimana, through his food processing company, Agri-Extension Limited, participated in different competitions and won different prizes, among others there areAgri Show 2017, DOT Rwanda, Business Development Fund (BDF) and districts.

Furaha William, the Youth Empowerment Programme Manager in the Ministry of Youth, who was the guest of honour, thanked the youth for their commitment to work. “Thanks for your innovations responding to problems in our community. You turn the problems into opportunities.” He added that BDF and other institutions are there to support youth. He reminded them that only their focus and their consistency will help them achieve their goals.

In this competition, the second contestant was AlphonsineTwizerimana, a student at Musanze Polytechnic, who pitched about the Irish potatoes value chain, whereas Abdallah Mugwanezafrom Gicumbi district got the last position. 

By Protais NIYONSHIMA

Jean Paul Ntezimana, a final year student at Musanze Polytechnic in Agriculture and Food Processing, won the 1^st place at provincial level Youth Connekt Awards 2017 competition in the Northern Province.Through pitching, he showcased his “Iyiwacu Wine” from sweet potatoes, and beat other two contestants that reached the provincial level. This devoted young entrepreneur got an award of 1,000,000Frw.

Oops, an error occurred! Code: 2026030102515159ec67e7

Ntezimana’s innovation is an adding value to sweet potatoes to increase shelf-life and marketability. The residues, obtained in from the production of the “Iyiwacu Wine,” are processed into the biofuel (bioethanol), the biscuits and doughnuts.

He revealed that his business idea is from his business aims at reducing the wastage of potatoes harvest, and contributing to the use of local resources. Ntezimana took advantage of the laboratory facilities at the university to conduct further research on juice and wine-making, as well as refine their production processes and formulas with support from his lecturers.

Ntezimana was inspired by the need to add value to potatoes and reduce the wastage of harvest, right after studying the Food Processing related courses at Musanze Polytechnic. “It started as a school project, when I and my classmates worked on the juice production. I further thought about going beyond, and then I produced the wine by responding to the present challenges in the community,” he said.

Ntezimana, through his food processing company, Agri-Extension Limited, participated in different competitions and won different prizes, among others there areAgri Show 2017, DOT Rwanda, Business Development Fund (BDF) and districts.

Furaha William, the Youth Empowerment Programme Manager in the Ministry of Youth, who was the guest of honour, thanked the youth for their commitment to work. “Thanks for your innovations responding to problems in our community. You turn the problems into opportunities.” He added that BDF and other institutions are there to support youth. He reminded them that only their focus and their consistency will help them achieve their goals.

In this competition, the second contestant was AlphonsineTwizerimana, a student at Musanze Polytechnic, who pitched about the Irish potatoes value chain, whereas Abdallah Mugwanezafrom Gicumbi district got the last position. 

By Protais NIYONSHIMA