Gatsibo to improve banana production

GATSIBO - Gatsibo district in the Eastern Province, on Tuesday, launched a campaign dubbed ‘Banana week’ that aims at boosting banana production in the district. Speaking at the launch in Gitoki sector, Nicolas Rwaka, the district Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, said that the district organized the new programme to help farmers transform their banana production activities. He emphasized on the need for farmers to adopt new and modern methods of production. “During this week, we shall mobilise and ensure that every banana farmer in the district transforms his or her plantations to ensure bumper harvests in the next season. This will be attained through modern farming techniques,” he said. Rwaka added that the district will, through the Ministry of Agriculture, provide modern banana sackers to residents that will enhance farm yields. “…It will add more produce on the market and we may even extend this campaign to two weeks depending on our targets,” he said. He disclosed that experts in banana production have been invited to help residents to apply new techniques. “What we require of a resident is to just clean their banana plantations the rest of the work will be carried out by sector agronomists and other experts in banana production,” Rwaka added. Apollo Rutagarama, a model farmer in the district said that transforming to modern farming is something that just requires commitment of residents. “Every one can do this when there is determination. We receive over Rwf160, 000 per month from banana plantation on three hectares of land that have been developed by my family,” he said. Ends