EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — The Minister of Agriculture, Christophe Bazivamo has asked leaders of Eastern Province districts to design methods of controlling soil erosion by October 31, 2008.

"We ask local leaders to put in place measures to control soil erosion by October 31, 2008. ,” he said Wednesday while addressing area leaders who included, the Governor Dr. Ephraim Kabaija, Mayors and Sector executive secretaries at a meeting convened at AVEGA Centre.

Bazivamo explained that there is urgent need to control soil erosion to ensure food security for all households. He said that the country loses 15million tonnes of top soil annually which affects feeding needs of about 40,000 people.

Appealing to local leaders to step up the sensitization campaign, the minister called on all Rwandans from village level (Umudugudu) to own the whole process of erosion control.

At the same meeting, Bazivamo urged local leaders to adopt the use of inorganic and organic manure, use of irrigation and other modern farming practices to enhance agricultural production.

He asked local leaders to ensure that 15 other residents in every village benefit from the programme of One Cow One Family.

The Minister further urged the leaders to use the model villages commonly called Agasozi Ndatwa (loosely translated as ‘An Exemplary Hill), to enhance development in villages.

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