RULINDO - Residents Rulindo District whose crops were destroyed by a heavy downpour in June, have appealed to local government to find ways to prevent a similar disaster in case the torrential rains strike again.

Over 50 hectares of potato farms were destroyed in the Bushoki, Mbogo and Tumba sectors. 

Residents of Bushoki sector, told The New Times that they are apprehensive that the September rains could destroy their crops again if not protected.

"The district should urgently act on protecting our farms because the September rainy season has already started. We don’t see anything being done,” Dieudonnee Habinshuti said.

"The local leaders promised to help, but its two months and nothing has been done. We don’t know what happened,” said another farmer.

When contacted, the district agronomist, Raphael Murasandonyi, said plans are underway to prevent a similar occurrence.

"We are going to trim over 100 hectares of terraces on the affected hilly areas as we dig up trenches to contain the running water,” said Murasandonyi, adding that the terracing would be implemented before the end of this month.

"The district was unable to compensate the farmers because of financial constraints. But we are working with the Rwanda Agriculture Development Authority, which will offer seeds to the victims.”

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