RWAMAGANA – The Governor of Eastern Province, Odette Uwamariya, has called on the area leaders to work harder for sustainable development. Addressing the provincial general assembly, Uwamariya said the province had registered significant improvement in agriculture production, adding, however, that more needed to be done in mining and environmental protection."We have been producing tonnes of cereals thanks to improvement in our farming methods...this has greatly contributed to the reduction of poverty in our communities,” she said. The assembly was attended by, among others, local leaders in the province, legislators and religious leaders.Uwamariya also said that any development activity must take into consideration environmental concerns. "Mining must be done in a way that does not destroy the environment.”"We should also embrace fully the use of biogas. The physical and social environment must be cared for if we are to realise sustainable development”.Senator Michel Rugema applauded the economic development in the province, saying land in the province was ideal for agriculture."I am sure the province can become the country’s bread basket.”Our land is fertile, with the improvement in farming methods; this province has the capacity to feed the rest of the country” Grassroots leaders raised several security concerns and called on police to tackle the problem of drug abuse and general crime cases in the province.