RUTSIRO/KARONGI - There is growing hope amongst farmers, dealing in maize, beans and Irish potato in Karongi and Rutsiro districts, that this season, high yields will be harvested.

In the two districts, maize was planted on 8,500 hectares while Irish potatoes and beans were planned to occupy 6,100 and 8,317 hectares respectively, and both the farmers and local leaders are confident of harvesting big.

Vedaste Musabyimana, a maize farmer in Karongi said that after adopting improved methods of farming and the increased availability fertilizers, there is no doubt that larger harvests, compared to previous seasons, will be reaped,.

"There is absolutely no reason why we shall not get good harvests, especially after the efforts we put in this season,” Musabyimana said yesterday.

He hoped that the harvests would help raise their economic status and social welfare and enable them get school fees for their children.

The Rutsiro district vice mayor in charge of economic affairs, Jean Damascène Nsanzimfura said that in general, all farmers in the district expect high yields.

Meanwhile, while touring the agricultural infrastructure in the district, on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) Ernest Ruzindaza hailed the famers for effectively adopting good methods of farming.

"You have tirelessly worked to ensure that soil erosion is no more and with the highly anticipated yields, you should also work round the clock to find reliable market for your produce,” Ruzindaza said.

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