WESTERN PROVINCE

NYABIHU—District Mayor Charles Ngirabatware has said the agricultural productivity of the district, characterized by poor farming methods and low yields could only be improved by a ‘complete revolution’ in its economic approach. Ngirabatware revealed this during a recent communal wheat planting in Jomba sector.

"With proper implementation of the economic revolution approach, Nyabihu can be one of the most productive districts in the country. We have chosen specific crops that can properly grow in this areas and which has market to help our people generate income out of them,” Ngirabatware said.

Crops identified include wheat, maize, coffee, irish potatoes, and bananas among others He said that there would be joint work by residents in the form of Umuganda community work to plant wheat in properly-prepared gardens.

"Whoever shall prepare his garden to the required conditions will automatically get free wheat seed and will be assisted by other residents in form of Umuganda to plant the seeds.”

The requirements needed include clearing bushes in gardens as well as digging terraces because most parts of Nyabibu are on elongated hills.

The new economic revolution approach includes teaching residents in groups and allocating certain crops to be grown in certain districts for maximum production.

He said that the district will also do the best to look for the markets for various products produced in the district to help farmers generate some income.

"We have so far planted 48 hectors of wheat in Jomba sector and we shall continues planting more in various sectors all over the district.”

He called upon residents to unite in cooperative unions adding the program was meant to pull them out of poverty if they worked together.

"These gardens are yours, although we are helping each other in the plantation, it doesn’t meant we shall share the products. We want to develop cooperation and working together to increase production in out district.”

Jean Claude Nduwayezu one of the residents whose garden was jointly worked on by inhabitants of Jomba, thanked the district for the support saying it was the genesis to a better life.

"I could not have managed to cover three hectare alone in such a short time. The wheat will help me generate income thus a better life in the near future” he said.

Most gardens in Nyabihu were destroyed by heavy rains that showered on September 12, killing 20 people, destroyed hundreds of homes and displace over 1700 in Bigogwe sector.

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