PRIME Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi has urged Rwandans to stick to modern farming to boost productivity and satisfy not only the subsistence, but also the growing regional market for agricultural products.

The head of government was addressing residents of Karago Sector in Nyabihu District on Saturday as he joined them in the monthly communal work, Umuganda.

The premier, together with other government officials, Police and military officers, participated in creation of terraces to fight soil erosion.

"Farmers play a significant role in national development, you have to work hard. There are farmers who only put in four hours a day; you cannot attain development if you do not work hard, you need to increase the number of hours you spend on your farms,” Habumuremyi said.

"You have to embrace modern farming, the output we get currently should and can increase five-fold if you adopt modern farming, operate in cooperatives and consolidate your land,” he added.

The premier urged the Ministry of Agriculture to make sure the improved seeds and fertilisers are delivered to farmers on time, following complaints by the farmers that they were getting the seeds late, at times past the planting season.

Currently, between 30 and 40 per cent of farmers use improved seeds while only 25percent use fertilisers and there are plans to increase this trend, according to the Director-General of Rwanda Agriculture Board, Dr Jean Jacques Mbonigaba Muhinda.

Habumuremyi also urged residents on family planning, given the increasing population on the limited land.

"We know that the population is the country’s resource but we should have children we can manage to provide for; be it education, healthcare and other amenities,” he said.