Rice farmers get disease-resistant seeds

NYAGATARE- The National Agricultural Research Institute ISAR, on Friday, joined rice cooperative farmers in Cyabayaga rice scheme in Nyagatare district to select improved disease-resistant rice seeds that will be grown in the area. The exercise was carried out by members from two cooperatives; CODELVAM and COPRORIKA, who selected six out of 24 brands that were available. Speaking to The New Times, Augustin Musoni, the head of ISAR-Nyagatare, said that it is important to involve farmers in the process of selecting seeds that are suitable for them. “We make our thorough research on the most productive and suitable rice seeds for residents to grow…but it is again important that we give them the chance to select the type of rice they feel is best for growing,” he said. According to Musoni, farmers have previously rejected seeds selected without their input. “We sometimes select several types but residents reject them arguing that some have long maturity period while others may be hard to maintain,” he added. Jean Pierre Kayiranga, the official in charge of research in ISAR said that the types of rice that were chosen by residents are more productive and disease-resistant. “Residents made good choices. The six rice types that they have selected are easy to grow, productive and are disease resistant,” he said. Celestin Nsekanabo, one of the rice growers at Cyabayaga rice scheme and a member of COODELVAM cooperative, said that they “selected these types of rice on the basis that they grow faster and are very productive.” Ends