Farmers in Musanze District have been urged to utilise fertilisers, improved seeds and modern pest management systems in order to ensure a bumper harvest in the coming months. 

Innocent Musabyimana, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, made the remarks on Tuesday during the launch of the 2016 Agriculture Season ‘A’ in Rwaza sector in Musanze District.

"We will enhance productivity by using minerals to complement the current fertilisers and fabricate different types of fertilisers that meet the demand of each of agricultural zone in the country,” he said.

The event brought together officials from the agriculture ministry, Rwanda Agriculture Board, and Musanze District local leaders.

Speaking about the challenges they face, the farmers raised the issue of the shortage of seeds and the delays in delivering them.

"If we get the seeds late, the harvest is affected,” Jean Paul Hakizimana, a farmer in Rwaza Sector, said.

But Damien Mutarambirwa, an agronomist at the sector, allayed the farmers concerns.

"As I talk now we have three tonnes of hybrid seeds and fertilisers ready. Farmers can access them through their respective cooperatives,” Mutarambirwa said.

He said that delays in seeds distribution was due to importation procedures.

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