GATSIBO - The Ministry of Agriculture plans to launch the first water storage project worth $56million (approx Rwf31 billion) in Gatsibo District, Eastern Province, an official has said.

Innocent Musabyimana, the head of the project and the official in charge of irrigation at the Ministry, during a visit to the project site, said that the target is to complete by September.

The project will be financed by a consortium of three donors in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture.
"This is the first phase of the project worth $56million. The World Bank will donate $34 million, USAID $14million and Canadians will provide $8million,’ he said.

He added that the project will help fight against soil erosion and water shortages during long dry spells.

"This project will be launched in Eastern Province but will later be extended to Karongi district in Western Province, before being rolled out across the country. It is designed to keep water in the soil for long, during dry season,’ he said.

The district’s vice mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, Nicolas Rwaka, welcomed the development, saying that besides boosting farming, it will generate income through providing employment.

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