Burundi delegation on study tour

BURERA – A group of 25 agronomists drawn from various districts of Burundi who are here for a study tour have commended Rwanda’s marshlands and environmental management practices.

Friday, September 17, 2010
Joseph Zaraduhaye explains to the Burundian delegation some of the new approaches used to transform farming along the banks of Lake Burera. (Photo: B. Mukombozi)

BURERA – A group of 25 agronomists drawn from various districts of Burundi who are here for a study tour have commended Rwanda’s marshlands and environmental management practices.

The visiting delegation made the remarks while on a five-day field study of Rwanda. The team includes heads of agro-related cooperatives, progressive farmers and workers from a government supported institution steering agriculture transformation known as PRASAB.

Led by Leonard Bacamurwakho, the team which was welcomed by Burera vice Mayor, Joseph Zaraduhaye, toured terraces on different hillsides, environmental protection activities along  Rugezi swamp in Burera, nursery beds and a lime production site in Musanze district.

"We have confirmed that Rwanda has indeed made great strides in protecting marshlands, while developing a sustainable approach to terracing which is actually worth emulating,’’ said Bacamurwakho.

He noted that Burundi would draw lessons from Rwanda on how farmers have been mobilized to fight soil erosion and other similar approaches meant to achieve transformation of the rural communities.

In his remarks the Burera Mayor, Samuel Sembagari said that the two countries should learn from each other for the purpose of establishing coordinated approaches to regional development plans.

Ends