GATSIBO - Officials from the World Bank, on Thursday, toured several agricultural projects that the world body finances in Gatsibo District. They included terraces that were constructed through World Bank financial support under Land Husbandry, Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation project, among others. The project employs local manpower, where residents are involved in cultivation of their own terraces and in return earn money, according to project coordinator Jolly Dusabe. Speaking to The Sunday Times, beneficiaries hailed the World Bank support and said the project had improved their livelihoods. “They pay us for casual labour during the construction of terraces, and later, the produce from these terraces goes to our homes. I had no means to fend for my family, but I can now afford to cater for my children,” said Immaculate Nyirandamari, one of the beneficiaries. “I could not even produce100 kilograms of maize annually, but since this project started financing us, I am expecting over 1.5tons”. However, Dusabe reminded residents that if the project is increasing their production, they should look for available markets for their produce. “You will harvest a variety of crops that require markets. You need to look for more markets since most of your produce, such as vegetables, have a wide market in Kigali,” she said. Ends
