NORTHERN PROVINCE

GICUMBI — The Minister of Agriculture, Christophe Bazivamo, has called upon residents in Gicumbi district to increase agriculture and livestock farming in order to boost their income and ensure food security.

The minister was on Monday addressing residents during celebrations to mark Farmers Day at the district.

"Rwanda Patriotic Front’s (RPF) manifesto is to eradicate poverty among Rwanda’s and uplifting the economy through modern agriculture and livestock farming,” said Bazivamo.

He added that agriculture should be done alongside livestock farming because cattle produce milk for sale to generate income and eradicate malnutrition in children, while at the same time producing manure for high yield crop production.

During the occasion, livestock farmers hailing from Ruvune, Byumba and Rukomo Sectors who had originally got cows under the Government’s programme of One Cow per Family passed on 12 heifers to their neighbours. 

"The Government of National Unity is the first in Rwanda’s History to introduce the one Cow for each family program,” noted Bazivamo.

Boniface Rucagu, the area Governor said all Rwanda’s achievements in modern agriculture and livestock farming are attributed to RPF development goals.

He called upon residents to overwhelmingly vote for RPF in the September 15 Parliamentary polls.

"Further development in exotic livestock and modern agriculture farming will be achieved when you overwhelmingly vote for RPF,” he said.

The district Mayor ,Bonane Nyangezi, said the district’s vision is to promote agriculture and livestock farming through construction of dairy plants, modern cattle slaughter houses, promoting artificial insemination and formation of farmer’s cooperatives.

The Mayor hailed the district’s development partners such as the Ministry of Agriculture, World Vision and Heifer International Project (HPI) that closely monitor farmer’s activities.

"Their contribution has enabled the district realise most of its development goals,” said Nyangezi.

The best farmers and local entrepreneurs from each Sector were awarded at the function.

The ceremony was also attended by the Minister for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Charles Murigande.

Ends