GATSIBO-The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, last week, visited rice and fish farms in Gatsibo District.

During the visit, she launched the fishing season at Kanyonyomba shores, where she reminded the residents that they can earn a living from fishing.

To the rice farmers, Kalibata commended them for working to increase  production in recent seasons.

Farmers in the area earn over Rwf700million from the rice production every season.

Kalibata urged the farmers to continue growing rice extensively without relying much on valleys.

"You have made enough money from rice production in this valley…but you should not rely on valleys, extend your production to the upland,” she said.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, some residents said their lives had changed because of the recent returns from rice production.

"I had totally failed to fend for my family due to poverty but when I started growing rice, I managed to construct a modern house and my family is living a healthy life,” Claude Hakundimana, a rice farmer at Kanyonyomba valley, said.

The Agriculture Minister also inspected residents passing on seven Friesian cows to their neighbours as part of the government’s cattle stocking program.

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