Residents of Gakenke in the Northern Province were yesterday urged to take up and practice terracing in order to prevent soil erosion and improve agricultural output.

The call was made by. Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, the Deputy Speaker of the Lower Chamber of Deputies, at the end of the monthly community work locally known as Umuganda

Over 20 legislators, Rwanda Defence Officers (RDF), Police Officers and the members of TIG (a community service for prisoners) joined Gakenke residents in the exercise.
"By carrying out the terracing system, you will be able to curb soil erosion which washes away the top soil making the land infertile,” he advised.

Ntawukuriryayo added that terracing is a great farming method and very vital since it increases the productivity of the soil.

He hailed the residents for having turned up in big numbers to participate in the activity which fosters unity and development.

The MP also advised residents to use modern family planning methods in order to control high birth rates in the area.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Dr. Ntawukuriryayo said that the local communities always complain that they (MPs) do not go back and interact with them after voting them into Parliament.

"They say we only join them when looking for votes. That is why we decided to always engage with them in the monthly communal work,” he said.

According to Emmanuel Senzira the Executive Secretary of Gakenke Sector, working with the legislators has encouraged them to construct more terraces because initially its target was to build over 50 hectares of terraces in the sector.

"We are very happy to participate with the Members of Parliament in this initiative. This shows that they are always behind us,” said Jean Marie Vianney, one of the residents.

Communal work locally known as "Umuganda” is a nation-wide programme that is performed every last Saturday of the month.

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