Editor,

Allow me through your newspaper to comment on a story that appeared in The New Times, January, 4, titled "Grow priority crops first, Kalibata advises farmers.”

Just as the Minister of Agriculture, Agnes Kalibata, argued, I believe that farmers should focus on crops like sorghum as they are more sustainable and can help ensure that the nation is food secure. 

There are countries where farmers have concentrated on cash crops and this has dented food security efforts.

Although Rwanda fared well last year, her neighbours were affected by drought that caused a lot of suffering. Such drastic occurrences can happen anywhere in the world without prior notice. So, it would really be helpful if we put in place mechanisms that ensure food security to guard against calamities like drought and famine. Besides, enhancing food security, production of surplus food would enable us to export some or aid drought-stricken countries.

Richard Nyiridandi
Rulindo