While launching the agriculture season 2019 A Monday in Nyamagabe District, Ngirente commended farmers for their zeal in farming and recommended them to use chemical fertilisers and care for the maize plantations in order to get better yields. The launch took place in Kamegeri Sector, in in the 57 hectare Mwogo marshland maize plantations.
He urged farmers to continue working together in cooperatives and specifically target eradication of malnutrition.
“The first thing is good nutrition. We practice farming so that we and our children eat well. Fighting famine must go in line with fighting malnutrition. Knowing how to prepare what we harvested for our children and how many times we feed them per day.” He said.
About 703 farmers in Ingenzi Coperative who grow crops in Mwogo marshland admit that before the marshland was reclaimed, production was very low mainly due to floods in Mwogo and Nkungu rivers.
Xavier Ntakirutimana, one of the farmers said that they used to grow maize, beans and vegetables but the production was poor because the marshland was not yet reclaimed. However, he notes that now they have a reason to be optimistic for improved yields.
“Now, if we consider how Mwogo Marshland has been reclaimed and equipped with water channels, it gives us hope that we will get enough and better production,” He said.
The farmers further say that thanks to mechanised irrigation schemes that were introduced to them, they will cultivate at any time without being worried by the dry season.
Those who talked to IGIHE say that they are going to fight malnutrition and its related diseases by taking care of their children as recommended by the premier.
Gisele Mukashyaka told IGIHE that malnutrition that is common in Nyamagabe District is not caused by food shortages but is a result of the ignorance of parents who don’t know how to prepare meals for their children.
“Malnutrition in this area is not due to lack of food. It is due to not knowing how to take good care of children and not feeding them the right way. We are now going to follow the authorities’ advice on how to eradicate malnutrition.” She said.
According to Kigeme Hospital in Nyamagabe District, malnutrition and respiratory infections are the ones that mostly affect children who are brought here or taken to other health centres.
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