Farmers in Gicumbi District have raised an outcry over the present seeds distribution mechanism citing delays as a major factor that affects production. Some of the farmers who spoke to The New Times, said the seeds meant for the crop intensification programme and fertilisers from the Agriculture Ministry take long to reach them hence affecting production. “We would harvest more if we could get seeds and enough fertilisers on time so that we start well with the season. But nonetheless, we like this crop intensification programme,” said Jean Bosco Uwimana, a farmer from Nyamabuye village. On land consolidation, some of the farmers said that in order to maximally benefit from the programme, there was need for the authorities to enforce the planting of one type of crop in a particular village. Residents of Kageyo Sector said ever since they adopted the land consolidation system, their incomes had improved. “I now earn more compared to what I used to from my farm. I earn about Rwf200,000 per season, and I’m thankful to the government for the good farming programme,” one of the residents said. District officials acknowledged the issue of persistent delays in disbursing fertilisers and seeds to the farmers, an issue that agronomists maintain, affects production. The district’s agronomist, Jean Crisostome Nzeyimana, however, said mechanisms have been put in place to address the delays. “Currently, we are on track because preparation for the coming farming season, which starts in February, is on course and no farmer will complain about the issue,” Nzeyimana observed. On the crop intensification programme, he said the district expects a bumper harvest of maize and beans from consolidated land. Maize was planted on over 4,000 hectares compared to last season’s of only about 3,000, noting that it was attributed to the residents adopting the land consolidation programme. fred.ndoli@newtimes.co.rw
