NYAGATARE - President Paul Kagame, yesterday told residents of Nyagatare District, Eastern Province, that a lot has been achieved over the last 10 years.

Addressing hundreds of thousands who had gathered at Umutara Polytechnic University playground, Kagame said that the district has made commendable progress in all areas.

From infrastructure to social welfare, President Kagame said that Nyagatare has managed to transform itself from one of the most disadvantaged and impoverished districts, to one of the wealthiest in the country.

The Head of State noted that concerted efforts by the government and the people have paid off, making Nyagatare a centre of attraction, today.

He pointed out that the district was, at one point, faced with multiple challenges, including an influx of people returning from exile, and long dry spells, which affected agricultural production, but today, all these challenges have been addressed.

The President said that what the district has achieved confirms the fact that when people put their efforts together, everything is possible.

He pointed out that a lot more can be done in the next 5 or 10 years.

President Kagame added that the progress in Nyagatare district is clearly visible and should provide the basis to do more, since the foundation is already in place.

He cited the transformation from traditional to modern farming as an example of how Nyagatare has improved agricultural production within a short time.
 
The Head of State further said that the government’s efforts to increase agricultural production are aimed at benefiting all Rwandans, noting that so far the country has been able to achieve food security. He added that the next step is to produce surplus for export.

The President pledged continued government support to modernize agriculture in the district. To that end, he said the government will continue to provide electricity, infrastructure and water conservation projects to support irrigation.

He went on to urge the residents to form cooperatives, saying that when people join efforts a lot can be achieved.

Later in the evening, President Kagame officially opened a retreat for the Eastern Province business community.

The President noted that the business community has demonstrated patriotism by supporting government programmes and investing in their own country.

He commended them for supporting the One-cow-per-family programme and the anti-Nyakatsi (thatched houses) drive.

He said that while the country attracts foreign investors, Rwandans who choose to invest domestically are considered as priority because they are the pillars of the economy.

During the meeting, local investors raised Rwf 1.5 billion to invest in various projects across the province. 

Earlier in the day, the Head of State visited a1,500 hectare marshland in Tabagwe Sector, where the government has invested over Rwf 9.6 billion in rice farming.

The President also visited Elisa Mugiraneza, a model farmer in Gitengure Cell in Tabagwe sector, who owns 40 Frisians and has donated cows to 80 families in the area.

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