NORTHERN PROVINCE GICUMBI — Christopher Bazivamo the Minister of Agriculture, has called upon farmers in Gicumbi district to grow more wheat because they have demand from Pembe wheat factory. The factory is located in Byumba Sector of Gicumbi district.The Minister said this while addressing cell and sector leaders at Gicumbi stadium on Wednesday. “In addition to growing Irish potatoes, beans and fruits, you should also grow 40 hectares of wheat per village and 2,400 hectares of wheat per Sector starting this September,” said Minister Bazivamo. Bazivamo further advised local leaders to sensitize the population to increase livestock farming because cattle produce manure needed for crop production and milk to be consumed by their families. “There should be at least 15 livestock farmers in every village,” he added. Bazivamo also advised livestock farmers to spread livestock farming to poor families, saying it fosters unity, love and economic development within the Rwandan society. In addition, Minister Bazivamo advised livestock farmers to obtain loans from Banque Populaire to buy exotic cattle. Through an understanding with the government, to promote cattle stocking, the loans can be got without security and payable in three years. The district Mayor Bonane Nyangezi called upon local leaders to sensitize the population on the importance of registering for medical insurance. He hailed Bwisige Sector where 94.5 per cent residents have registered for the medical insurance, and urged other Sectors to emulate Bwisige. He also hailed Muko, Rukomo and Ruvune Sectors for adhering to the policy of terrace construction on high yield agricultural demonstration sites, commonly referred to as “Indatwa hill”. “Our experience in terrace construction is being adopted by other parts of the country, and experts in terrace construction from Gicumbi district are being hired for consultation by other districts,” said Nyangezi. On security Mayor Nyangezi advised local leaders to tighten night patrols and keep registers in every village, to record names of visitors. “Security information on suspicious strangers should be reported to security organs immediately.” Ends
