Farmers in Kayonza, Rwamagana and Gatsibo districts have  acquired modern farming skills and capacity to increase production.

The farmers acquired these skills at a farmers’ unions training organised by the European Union through, Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWARRI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

 The two-day training ended yesterday.

 Jean Claude Ndindandumwe, one of the trainers said participants exchanged ideas on good agricultural practices for sustainable production such as land use management, use of fertilisers and crop rotation.

 He said farmers were also enlightened on harvesting and post-harvest handling as well as storage. 

  "We are teaching the farmers how to maintain the quality of their produce after harvest. They should also ensure high quality seeds that can compete in the market,” Ndindandumwe said.

 Belange Uwizeye, RWARRI agricultural officer, said  the  training was timely, noting that there was a new type of farming they wanted farmers to adopt.

"We have started modern fish farming that is new to most of our farmers. We believe the fishing union benefitted a lot from the training,” Uwizeye said.

Athanase Twagirayezu, the chairmanperson of Lake Muhazi Fishers Union, said: "We need such training to keep in the business that has enabled us to fend for ourselves,” he said.