NYAGATARE-Rice farmers in Nyagatare District were on Thursday left in shock after a heavy downpour destroyed rice fields at Cyabayaga rice scheme.

According to the president of the cooperative that runs the rice scheme, Elijah Mboneza, floods destroyed 65 hectares of rice,

"It’s a shock. Heavy rains started in the afternoon hours. We later received reports from Cooperative members that hectares of rice had been destroyed,” he said.

 "We are in contact with the people in the field and more hectares of rice could face further destruction, according to our agronomists at the scene..”

Speaking to the Sunday Times, scores of rice farmers expressed their dismay.

"I am disappointed. I had over 10 hectares of rice but almost three were left destroyed,” said one of the rice farmers who is also a member of the cooperative.

Ivan Nsengiyumva, another rice farmer who was affected by the floods said: "I expected to harvest rice worth Rwf 3 million but everything was destroyed.”

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