RWAMAGANA – The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, has directed local leaders in the Eastern Province, to ensure that 70 percent of the land is used for cultivation so as to ensure food security.

Kalibata told local leaders that they had a role to play in ensuring food security through the much needed and appropriate guidance to farmers. 

"It is illogical for some residents to go hungry when most of your districts receive relatively enough rains throughout the year. Food security must be taken as a top priority,” she said.

"No one should give an excuse. Government has played its part through availing all forms of support.”

Protais Murayira, the Mayor of Kirehe district, said that the large portion of arable land in his district has been used for production, after thorough mobilisation of the people.

"We have been successful in agriculture production throughout the year…there is no other input needed apart from mobilising the population to own all development projects. So that people are made to know that agricultural production is for their own good,” he said.

However, Louis Rwagaju, the Mayor of Bugesera district, expressed pessimism owing to the harsh weather conditions in his district.

"We have done tremendous work in agriculture, especially cassava growing in most parts of the district. The only thing that drags us behind is drought,” he said.

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