KIREHE - Farmers in Kirehe District have received three brand new tractors intended to boost agricultural production in the area.

The tractors were donated to the district by a project known as Kirehe Water Management Programme (KWAMP).

The same project is expected to work hand in hand with farmers to improve agriculture.

The Mayor, Protais Murayira said the facilities will help farmers shift from subsistence to commercial farming.

"The tractors will help with the ploughing of land mechanically and preparing it for extensive cultivation to boost the efforts of agriculture development in the community,” the Mayor said.

The farmers are expected to hire the tractors for Rwf 40,000 to plough a hectare of land. Normally, a farmer pays Rwf 60,000 to till one hectare using hand- hoes.

"The hand hoe business is not only expensive, but also takes ages to finish work,” a farmer said.

The district agriculture officer, Emmanuel Habimana said with the new tractors the district will carry out cultivation through out the year.

"We intend to carry out agriculture throughout the year.

The project will further help farmers to start irrigating their crops. About 2000 hectares of land were earmarked for such activities that will later spread to other areas of the district,” he said.

According to district authorities, Kirehe ranks among the few best performers in agriculture in the country.

The farmers said they are hopeful the tractors will increase their incomes from agriculture.

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