RADA official predicts high maize production in Kayonza

EASTERN PROVINCE KAYONZA — Farmers in Kayonza would have abundant production of maize due to proper use of fertilizers, at the end of harvesting season, an official of Agricultural Development Authority [RADA] has predicted.Fabien Ntirivamunda, in charge of input supply, made the remarks over the weekend after supervising the second phase of the supply of fertilizers to farmers. “I am convinced that since farmers have timely applied all the fertilizers, the harvest will multiply five times. Due to use of the NPK 17/17/17 fertilizers during the time of planting, and now they have applied the Urea fertilizer at this early time of weeding, the harvest will multiply five times,” Ntirivamunda predicted. According to Ntirivamunda, the agreements for maize seeds and fertilizers supply were signed between RADA and district officials at a higher purchase price, to be repaid after the harvests. Asked about the cost and how cost-effective they would be he said that maize seeds were given out at Frw334 per kilo, the NPK 17/17/17 fertilizer was given out at Frw250 per kilo while the Urea fertilizer cost Frw320 per kilo. He added that the charges would be manageable for farmers since a kilo of each type of fertilizers can be applied on a hectare of maize. One kilo gram maize seeds covers one hectare of land. He said that with the use of these fertilizers, close to five tones would be harvested from each hectare. In a separate interview with the district agricultural officer, Emmanuel Ngenzahumuremyi, he echoed Ntirivamunda.“It is in line with government’s program of green revolution where every area specializes in particular crops suitable in that area. Maize has returned good yields in Kayonza and as such residents have grown it in plenty,” Ngenzahumuremyi said.“We expect farmers would have enough yields for food and surplus for sale,” he added, emphasizing that thousands and thousands of tones of maize would be harvested. He observed that in the two sectors of Ndego and Mwiri alone, over 700 hectares of maize were planted. The New Times established that the main grain producing company in the country, MINIMIX, has been contacted to buy the maize after harvest. Ends