The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana has urged farmers in Eastern Province to embark on solar –powered irrigation to increase agricultural yields in the drought season.
Minister Mukeshimana made the comments during the launch of a community-based drought-stricken and weeds control campaign in 25 sectors to fight hunger in the Eastern Province on Monday, November 2021.
The initiative was launched in almost all districts on Monday after it was revealed that out of the 95 sectors in the Province; about 25 are affected by the long prolonged drought season.
Eastern Province Governor, Emmanuel Gasana said that some areas were mostly affected by the drought, which is why they were urging residents to plant more trees as it would bring rain.
“When you look at them, they are cells in some sectors but in general there are some sectors that are worse,” he said. In Kirehe there are Mpanga Sector, in Kayonza Sector Ndego, Mwili and Murundi, to Nyagatare” He noted.
Some of the farmers said that this year’s prolonged drought season damaged their beans and maize crops, as well as pastures which led to low mild yields from cows, they also urged the government to help them to acquire more fresh seedlings.
Minister reminded farmers living closer to water sources to use the dams, rivers or lakes to irrigate their crops.
Farmers in the Eastern Province have been asked to work together and irrigate. The government promised to provide them with water pipes and support.
