Kalibata urges farmers to diversify production

KIREHE – The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Agnes Kalibata currently on her tour of the Eastern Province is calling on farmers to diversify production and use fertilisers in their farms.“ It is high time we diversified our agriculture by learning to use inputs such as fertilisers and embracing more scientific methods. Kirehe for instance would do well with increased maize production. Such a cereal crop can be stored for long and be used during the dry season,” she said. The Minister, warned farmers not to entertain negative campaign against the use of artificial fertilisers. “Claims that artificial fertilisers destroy crops and reduce yields should not be tolerated ,” she remarked. The Kirehe District agriculture officer, Emmanuel Habimana, said the district is now ranked among the best food producers in the country. It mainly produces bananas, cassava, pineapples and other perishables. “We have quite a number of crops being grown to the extent that many other districts, including Kigali City depend on us for food,” Protais Murayire, the Mayor said. “The problem however is that we do not produce enough cereal crops. We only have rice at a minimal level. Maize planting is thus going to supplement and in some cases, replace crops that do not offer us enough protection from hunger and famine,”he added Meanwhile, local leaders in the district are undergoing intensive training in proper agricultural practices that will help increase production. They are being trained at Nyakarambi and Nyarubuye. Ends