Nyagatare/Gatsibo - Maize farmers in the Gatsibo and Nyagatare districts said they will irrigate their crops next season, following a long dry spell that has hit the region. The next farming season kicks off towards the end of this month.

Reports from agricultural experts in the districts conclude that the dry spell affected hundreds of maize plantations last season.

In Nyagatare alone an estimated fifth of a projected 88,000 tonnes of maize was destroyed.

However, scores of farmers who spoke to The New Times, say that the Ministry of Agriculture and other development partners are helping them to prevent effects of a possible drought in the next season.

Alphonse Nshimiyimana, a farmer from Gatsibo District who lost crops worth over Rwf2m last season, said that he will adopt irrigation.

"It is costly but I already prepared irrigation channels across my land. I am sure that next season will be fruitful,” he predicts.

A series of training sessions conducted by various development partners helped farmers understand how to use new irrigation methods.

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