Leaders of Bugesera district say they have combated famine the district once experienced, a feat attained through concerted efforts between the residents, government support and development partners that have all introduced and embraced irrigation and tree planting.
The mayor of Bugesera district, Rwagaju Louis, said that residents have been facing crops failures due to droughts, causing recurring famines.
Rwagaju said they have reclaimed marshlands using irrigation which increased yields per unit area that today they even produce surplus for markets.
“Irrigation and agricultural mechanization have contributed a lot and we harvest more reserves for Kigali city,” he told IGIHE.
Apart from irrigation, Rwagaju says they have concentrated efforts in planting drought and disease resistant trees that, as well, contribute to environmental resilience.
He said that they have provided 12 irrigation machines to cooperatives of Bugesera farmers during the 2014/2015 financial year.
He said that 52 other irrigation facilities have been availed to farmers and 190 to be donated in 2015/2016.
The mayor says that in 2011 the district had poverty levels at 48.4% compared to the current 34.3%. Those who were in extreme poverty in 2011 were at 28.3% compared to the current 13.4%.
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