EASTERN PROVINCE RWAMAGANA—Sector agricultural officers from across the Eastern Province have undergone training aimed at improving land productivity. The one-week training organized by Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Agriculture, tackled issues of land use and management. At least one person in charge of environment from each of the seven districts of the province also attended the training. Closing the workshop, Patrice Hakizimana, the director general of RADA noted that in addition to proper land use and management, agricultural officers have a responsibility of teaching the population how to put to optimum use the small portions of land available. He emphasized the importance of terraces in controlling soil erosion and improving land productivity. A provincial official, Jean Marie Vianney Makombe, observed that proper land use and management required preservation of soils to retain its productivity. He attributed food shortages that often hit some parts of the country to soil erosion which washes away fertile soils. He challenged participants to educate residents on the need for storing part of their food harvests to minimise cases of food shortages. According to Venuste Ruhigana, coordinator of the training, the participants also learnt the importance of ecosystems. Ends
