WFP pledges more agricultural support

RULINDO – The World Food Program (WFP) will continue efforts geared at boosting agricultural production in Rwanda, the organisation’s Executive Director, Josette Sheeran said, yesterday. 

Thursday, July 29, 2010
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Agnes Kalibata and Governor Bosenibamwe together with the visiting delegation tour wheat farms in Rukozo Sector yesterday (Photo: A. Gahene)

RULINDO – The World Food Program (WFP) will continue efforts geared at boosting agricultural production in Rwanda, the organisation’s Executive Director, Josette Sheeran said, yesterday. 

Sheeran made the remarks while inspecting 300 hectares of wheat farms planted on the terraced hills of Rukozo and Cyungo sectors in Rulindo District.

The wheat project is supported by WFP in partnership with CARITAS, World Vision, FAO and Rulindo District.  
She hailed Cyungo and Rukozo sectors’ Livestock and Agriculture Cooperative Society (CAPROCYU) for transforming the previously barren area.  "WFP shall do all that is possible to ensure residents of this area get warehouses to store their produce,” she added. 

The Minister of Agriculture Dr. Agnes Kalibata, thanked WFP and other development partners for their commitment to boost agriculture production in the area. 

The WFP Executive Director also toured communal kraals (Igikumba) in Rokozo and Cyungo sectors. 

District Mayor, Justus Kangwagye said communal kraals are part of traditional Rwandan culture of rearing cows communally to guarantee the domestic animals’ wellbeing. 

"Igikumba is a new district innovation to generate collective manure needed to increase agriculture production at the nearly wheat and Irish potatoes fields of Rukozo and Cyungo sectors”, said Kangwagye. 

Also present was the Governor of Northern Province, Aime Bosenibamwe, and Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF) 408 Brigade Commande,r Brig. Gen. Eric Murokore. 

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