There have been complaints among farmers that fertilizers pose negative effects sometime ending with undermining the quality of soil.
However, Dr Agnes Kalibata the Minister of Agriculture has stated that chemical fertilizers pose no threat to the environment but rather enhance food productivity.
Dr. Kalibata says a recent warning by the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (Rema), that use of chemical fertilisers was counterproductive in the long-term, was uncalled for.
Rema warned this month that increased use of chemical fertilisers may pose a major environmental hazard in the long-run.
But Kalibata said chemical fertilisers should instead be regularly used and promoted because they are not hazardous to the environment and help increase production.
She said use of chemical fertilizers in Rwanda remains low, adding that its use is essential if the country is to realise its targeted production levels.
The minister said that in some countries, especially developed economies, farmers use 100 kilogrammes per hectare, while farmers in Rwanda use below 30kg per hectare.
According to the environmental watchdog, there is need to promote and invest more in organic agriculture so as to reduce the reliance on chemical fertilizers.
Nevertheless, Kalibata says the priority should be the use of chemical fertilisers to increase production to meet demand.
Newtimes
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