WESTERN PROVINCE

RUBAVU — The Prime Minister, Bernard Makuza has called on residents to join cooperative unions in a bid to eradicate poverty in their midst.

During a two-day tour in Rubavu District last week, Makuza said: "We can join forces to fight against poverty through the government’s policy of economic revolution.” He also inspected various developmental activities initiated by area residents. He urged residents to improve personal hygiene in their home to avoid diseases due to poor sanitation.

The Premier asked residents to shun people who ‘try to confuse and distract them from developmental activities by preaching the gospel of divisionism and negative ideologies.

Among other projects visited include: Genocide survivor’s association that makes cooking oil in Rugerero sector, an association that makes soap, Kiaka Cooperative Union, Pfunda tea factory among others.

He advised residents to promote agriculture which is the main economic activity for the country by concentrating on specialised crops selected by the Province.

He said the country’s agricultural development depended primarily on the stepping up of activities that develop and promote agricultural and livestock production.

"This can only be achieved by adopting the use of modern agricultural inputs and modern techniques in crop production and animal husbandry.” He said this could be possible by joining cooperative unions and careful use of land and water as well as agricultural commercialisation.

Makuza urged farmers to use environmentally friendly methods of crop production, quality grain storage to sustain market prices for the farmers and ensure greater food security to avoid food shortages.

By establishing farmers’ associations, Mukuza added, it would simplify marketing, increase farmers’ savings and ease accessing loans.

The Prime minister’s visit to Rubavu was part of his five-day tour of the Western Province.

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