Land consolidation is now boosting food production in Gatsibo District

GATSIBO - Residents of Kanyangese cell in Rugarama sector, Gatsibo District, have hailed the government’s land consolidation programme for improving local food production. Under land consolidation programme, rural farmers are encouraged to grow a single crop on extensive land holdings unlike in the previous cases where land holdings were fragmented. Speaking to The New Times on Monday, one resident, Elaste Kanyamanza, said he produces four tonnes of maize on consolidated land up from 500 kg he used to harvest previously. “We thank the government for encouraging this programme…we have realized bumper harvests since the programme’s inception in our village and this is part of rural development,” Kanyamanza, said. “It’s a productive way of cultivation. This system is successful especially when we apply government-donated fertilisers.” Scovia Mbabazi, another resident, appealed to other fellow residents who haven’t embraced the programme, to do so.“There are some residents who still believe in old traditional methods of farming. But they should wake up and adopt this new productive system,” she said. About 200 hectares of land have been prepared for maize production by Kanyangese residents as part of the land consolidation programme. Emmanuel Musonera, the cell executive secretary, praised residents for their response to government policies, which he said helps local leaders to achieve their performance targets. “When residents respond positively to government programmes like this of land consolidation, it also become easier for us to meet our performance contracts,” he said. Ends