Farmers advised to grow more rice

Rwamagana—The Minister in the Office of the President, Solina Nyirahabimana, has called for more investiment in rice growing. She was addressing hundreds of rice growers in Rwamagana district, yesterday. The Minister also visited Rwamagana Rice factory, owned by an Australian firm. The Minister noted that farmers’ attitude towards the crop had changed positively, but noted that leaders and investors’ attitude remained wanting. “The enthusiasm, with which the farmers tend to their rice fields, is encouraging. What is needed is the leaders’ serious support to help them increase produce,” she said. She added that investors too, should help farmers to increase production. “Rwamagana rice factory complains of making no profits, because they don’t have enough rice to process...they should help farmers to widen dams or other inputs and they would in turn pay.” Bris Irambona, the manager of Rwamagana Rice factory, said the factory, enjoys good relationship with farmers, but reiterated the need to help them grow more rice. He, however, castigated illegal buyers of rice meant for the factory, particularly in Ngoma district. “We need to construct dams in rice farms, so that farmers increase production...this is what I will call my superiors to do,” he said, appealing to the government to stamp out illegal rice buyers who he said are perpetuated by sector leaders. Thomas Rudasingwa, the chairman of Rwamagana rice growers said that the main challenge facing them was scarcity of water. He stated the available water is not reliable because there are no stable water reservation mechanisms. “We would like to be supported especially in the area of water preservation. Rice needs abundant water without which production drastically decreases.” Ends