NORTHERN PROVINCE

GAKENKE — Sector agronomists across Gakenke district have signed performance contracts with the district. The contracts commit them to achieve economic transformation through exemplary hills usually referred to as ‘agasozi ndatwa’.

The contracts also bind the parties to oversee the prevention of soil erosion by making terraces. The parties will also consolidate land for growing of the recommended specialised crops and to ensure that the area’s traditional banana plant locally known as ‘malaya’, is uprooted on the hills.

Under the arrangement, serious punitive action awaits those who would fail to coordinate the implementation of the proposed activities.

The signing ceremony was preceded by a heated debate on why soil erosion had persisted in the area and what could be done to ensure the success of exemplary hills.

The discussion attracted the district leaders headed by the outgoing Mayor Zephyrin Ntakirutimana, the District Police Commander, Felix Rutayisire and the area RDF commander Maj. Muvunyi.

During the debate agronomist attributed the continued soil erosion to residents’ poor mind sets. They argued that residents had a belief that it was hard to control erosion.

The agronomists also attributed persistent soil erosion to the terrain, poor methods of cultivation and lack of controlling tools among other things.

At the meeting, the district Executive Secretary Richard Mberabagabo said that it was important to first cultivate the concept of exemplary hills in people’s minds to ensure its success.

"We can not continue living in a mess of poverty. Those who can’t fight this economic war should not consider themselves leaders,’’ Mberabagabo said.

As part of their work, agronomists will also ensure that in each village with the proposed hills, there is a vegetable garden, three farming cooperatives and ensure that 50 per cent of the families have one cow. All authorities were asked to cooperate in the implementation of the activities. 

Ends