Kayonza farmers worried as drought persists

The Prolonged dry season has raised food insecurity fears among farmers in Rwinkwavu and Murundi sectors in Kayonza District. Jean Damascene Zigirinshuti, a resident of Nkoko cell, Rwinkwavu Sector, said prolonged drought has raised fears of food shortage in the area. He said, “Since January it has not rained save for May when it rained for a short time. We are currently facing a serious shortage of food…feeding is now a challenge.” Anastase Ntakirutimana, a farmer in Nyabimuri marshland in Rwinkwavu Sector, said lack of irrigation infrastructure had worsened the problem. “With irrigation we can hope for better yields. We appeal to the government to help us access water to irrigate our crops to address food shortage issues,” Ntakirutimana explained. Tony Nsanganira, the State Minister for Agriculture who visited the farmers last week, said, “There is no other way to cope with prolonged drought other than embracing irrigation. It is true, this area and other areas in the district are experiencing serious food insecurity but we have a national grain strategic reserve that intervenes through the food for work framework.” “We also encourage local authorities to schedule water sharing schemes between these two sectors and their neighbours who are also experiencing serious shortage of water for their cattle so that people can be able to water their crops.” Meanwhile the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) has supported farmers in the marshland with irrigation equipment worth Rwf12 million. Juvenal Karema, the head of agriculture at BRD, urged farmers to work in teams not only to maintain the operational cost for the equipment given to them, but also to easily access financing, which he said could help them find solutions to their challenges, including prolonged drought. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Kayonza farmers worried as drought persists