Farmers urged on agricultural efficiency

Farmers in Rwanda have been urged to be as efficient as possible in order to boost agricultural production. The advice was given Sunday by the Director General of Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Patrick Hakizimana at Telecom House, Kacyiru. Hakizimana further warned Rwandans particularly those in Rusizi District, to desist from selling off artificial fertilisers provided by government because it spends a lot on subsidies and that anyone caught doing so will be reprimanded. He cited Burundi and theDemocratic Reublic of Congo (DRC) as some of the countries where these fertilisers have been known to end up. He also urged farmers to apply a new method of collecting water through catchments, citing Bugesera in the Eastern Province as a living example to other parts of the country on the benefits of this water harvesting method. According to the RADA official, farmers in the Eastern Province have embraced modern cattle rearing, and have gone further to contribute to the importation of tractors and ploughs that are used in the cultivation of pasture for cattle. Josephine Birungi, the director in charge of coffee also advised farmers to apply the right techniques in coffee growing since it is the backbone of Rwanda’s economy. “Always seek advice from the professionals that are stationed within your localities,” she advised the coffee farmers. Farmers were also told to be time conscious. “Rains, seed delivery, fertilisers have been timely; if the harvests become poor no excuse should be given,” Francis Nsengiyumva, the National Coordinator for the Crop Intensification Programme said. Ends