The Chairperson and Presidential candidate for the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), Frank Habineza, vowed on Friday, July 12, to Burera and Musanze residents that he will fight against stunting in children if they elect him for president. He made the pledge while campaigning in Cyanika sector of Burera district, and in Byangabo trading center of Busogo sector in Musanze district, as he completed his campaign trail in the Northern Province. ALSO READ: Habineza pledges to construct new market in Rutsiro Reflecting on the school feeding program previously indicated in DGPR’s manifesto in 2017, Habineza said he will improve it by providing meat so as to increase the diet. “We promise you that schoolchildren will be provided with a balanced diet that includes meat in their meals. Our children should eat well to fight against stunting for them to stay strong and healthy,” said the presidential candidate. For the government-endorsed school feeding, said Habineza, it was the only challenge. “Everything else, including increasing the budget of the programme, is simple.” Habineza also expressed his determination to enhance the agriculture sector by establishing a factory that will produce organic fertilizers in the northern region's districts, informally known as the country’s food basket. This initiative aims to assist farmers in increasing their harvests and reducing their dependence on expensive imported fertilizers. “Fertilizers will be available at low prices because we will be manufacturing them at the district level and then taking the initiative at the sectoral level and in cells. We should use environmentally friendly fertilizers that do not affect our health, and which are locally made,” he noted. Furthermore, Habineza emphasized the importance of small livestock rearing among households to engage children in farming activities. If every household owned a chicken, goat, or sheep, he believes this could not only reduce stunting in children, but it would also increase income generation and job creation opportunities can be fostered. He also highlighted his plan to address the issue of limited access to improved seeds in Burera and Musanze districts.
