EASTERN PROVINCE:

KAYONZA — The Minister of Agriculture and Animal resources, Anastase Murekezi, has urged local leaders to enlighten residents on agricultural transformation.

Addressing a meeting at the African New Life Academy hall in Kayonza district recently, Murekezi said that Agricultural transformation will include specialising in certain crops.

"This process will involve a shift from subsistence farming to mechanised farming,” said Murekezi .

He added that residents are expected to cooperate with the government to implement this new plan.

"Residents are required form cooperatives for the success of the scheme. Such farming method will help reduce soil erosion,” said Murekezi.

He further added that other modern methods of farming like irrigation would also be employed.

Murekezi said that the new system is aimed at poverty reduction and improving agricultural productivity, and that the government has a plan of supplying fertilizers to agriculturists.

The Governor of the Eastern Province, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka said that in addition to cattle rearing, the Eastern Province would also specialise in crop growing like maize, banana, rice, passion fruits, pineapples and Soya beans, and coffee.  Ends