GATSIBO-Horticultural farmers in Gatsibo District are set to receive water reservoirs to facilitate irrigation of their crops during the dry spell.

Vision 2020 Umurenge programme (VUP) constructs water reservoirs worth over Rwf79.2million in the district.

According to VUP officials, 23 water reservoirs would be constructed in Kiziguro Sector another 15 in Kageyo Sector.

"VUP will construct these water tanks to facilitate farmers to access enough water to irrigate their crops,” said Sam Agabe, a VUP official in the district.
Agabe, added the facilities would be ready by the end of July this year.

Gatsibo district officials, say low crop production has been caused by a prolonged dry spell.

"We normally experience scarcity of food crops in the dry season. But with these water reservoirs, we are sure this will be a thing of the past,” said Francois Sekaziga, the Rubona cell executive secretary.

Emmanuel Mushengayizi, an engineer at the site said that the 500-cubic metre water reservoirs have the capacity to store rainwater for over 20 years.

"These tanks are durable. They can store rain water for a period of 20 years and residents can irrigate their farms using it,” he said.
Speaking to The New Times, area residents lauded VUP for boosting agricultural production in the area.

"We used not to harvest vegetables during the dry season but VUP have addressed the issue. We thank the government for considering this important development,” Ernest Sekamana, a farmer in Kiziguro sector said.

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