Nyamagabe to get US$3m agric project

NYAMAGABE – Residents of Karama Cell, Cyanika Sector, will soon benefit from a three-million US dollar livestock and farming project which is due to be introduced in the area.The three-year World Food Programme (WFP) project seeks to improve the socio-economic conditions of the local residents.It is estimated that about 3,000 people living in Gasharu, Munyinya and Birambo villages in Nyamagabe District will be direct beneficiaries.According to Abdoulaye Balde, WFP Country Director, the money will be spent on infrastructure development agriculture, animal husbandry and capacity building, among others .He noted that the project will prioritise the needs of the local society.“The community chooses what they believe is important for them to come out of poverty and malnutrition. We, together with authorities in the district and province, support them where there is need,” Balde said.“If they need a water system, they have the labour but may not have the technology or the technique. If they want an extra classroom or school, they may have sand but don’t have the sheets… We are not coming to pay them to work for us but they will rather determine their own projects and we support them”.He observed that the World Food Programme will make sure the funds help local residents improve their welfare. Local residents have welcomed the scheme, observing that it will change their lives.“We commend the fact that the approach starts with us. We are the ones who decide what to do and when to do it. I think our needs will be addressed,” observed Beatrice Bankundiye, a resident of Birambo village.“We will make sure we maximise benefits from this project in order to develop our families and this entire community”.Charles Dukuzumuremyi, another resident, noted: “This is a chance we do not want to lose. We will sustain it for our own benefit”.The Governor of the Southern Province, Alphonse Munyentwari, urged residents of Cyanika sector to work hard in order to improve their wellbeing.He said they should be innovative in order to come up with activities which will lift their lives from one point to another.“The project does not bring food ready to be consumed, it is rather a task to accomplish,” he warned.“We must roll up our sleeves and get ready to work hard so as to improve our productivity, have food for our kids, have money to pay for health insurance and fulfil all our needs,” Munyentwari said.In another development, WFP is in the process of mobilising parents to have them participate in the school feeding programme.Under the project, which started in 2002, school children receive free lunch every day as a way of enhancing school attendance, reducing drop-outs and improving children’s performance.WFP officials met with local authorities in Nyamagabe District and the Provincial Governor to discuss best ways of engaging parents in the campaign.All parties agreed that local leaders must intensify efforts to mobilise residents and show them the benefits of the programme to the education of their kids.The Executive Secretary of Gasaka Sector, Richard Gasana, observed that mobilisation will not be difficult as the programme has started to pay off.“School drop-outs have decreased as some children used to abandon classes due to hunger. This is a clear fact. We will show parents that the support of the World Food Programme will not remain forever and that they have to start owning the campaign for its sustainability in the future,” he said.

National

Nyamagabe to get US$3m agric project