Gov’t launches campaign against land degradation

Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi will today launch a nationwide campaign against land degradation in a special community work exercise (Umuganda), that will be held in Nyundo, Rubavu district.Speaking at a news conference at the Prime Minister’s office yesterday, the Minister of Natural Resources, Stanislas Kamanzi said that recent devastating floods especially in the Northern and Western provinces, prompted the Premier’s intervention to arrest the situation.He said that the ministries of Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Disaster Management, have been given three months to have shown tangible results in dealing with land degradation management. The government wants to establish special community working days, establish committees from village to district levels and apply the Geographical Information System (GIS) to monitor performance and establish a reporting mechanism, according to Kamanzi. He said that the exercise will be combined with the commencement of Season A of farming.The State Minister for Social Affairs, Dr Alvera Mukabaramba, explained that much as some areas are not affected, the programme requires everyone’s participation.“The committees right from village to district level will enforce penalties against violation, identify need and propose solution, monitor progress and give reports. All ministries will be involved and will play their part in a complementing manner. Prevention of land degradation will go beyond gardens,” said Jean Jacques Muhinda, the Director General of Rwanda Agricultural Board.

National

Gov’t launches campaign against land degradation