Premier raps slow pace in agro programme

NORTHERN PROVINCE Prime Minister, Bernard Makuza has expressed his disappointment over the slow progress in implementing the crop consolidation programme. The premier was on a two day working visit to Gakenke District, Northern Province. The programme is a government plan that was put in to place as a way of improving several areas of the country in the agriculture sector. Under this programme, an area or region is zoned to grow a particular kind of cash or food crop. The Prime Minister criticized local authorities over the slow progress of the programme which would ensure increased productivity and easy access to other facilities by farmers. He advised farmers to ensure proper management of soils through terracing, calling upon them to grow coffee which has been identified as a suitable cash crop for the area. Crop consolidation programme approach is used to evaluate the effectiveness of land consolidation projects in the comprehensive agricultural development program. It can directly improve the productivity of household crop production, contributing to crop output, and overall, has been cost-effective. Accompanied by the ministers Protais Musoni (Local Government), Christophe Bazivamo (Agriculture) and the Minister of Internal Security Fazil Harerimana, Makuza commended the development initiatives in the area. After exploring different agro-business enterprises established by cooperatives and some by individuals in over ten sectors, the Prime Minister said “this is proof that development is attainable if there is a target and correct approaches.” Farmers, micro industrialists, and cooperatives exhibited their work to the head of government, which included poultry farming, fruit growing and processing cooperatives and women associations, During his visit, Makuza also braved a hot afternoon interacting with residents who mainly raised social problems. Speaking to the residents in Janja sector, Minister Musoni called upon residents to always seek advice saying that it is through this that they acquire new ideas and new approaches for their problems. Ends

National

Premier raps slow pace in agro programme