Farmers in the Eastern Province districts of Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Kayonza, and others have highlighted the need for enhancing irrigation and planting more forests to cope with drought. These recommendations were forwarded to parliamentary aspirants on June 24, after the Liberal Party (PL) explained its manifesto for parliamentary elections during the ongoing electoral campaigns.
The PL, which has 54 parliamentary aspirants, is backing RPF-Inkotanyi's candidate, incumbent President Paul Kagame, in the presidential race. Their campaign will continue to Ngoma and Kirehe districts on June 25 in Eastern Province, a region prone to dry spells.
Historically, 40 or 50 years ago, Rwanda's eastern region had sufficient forest cover. However, it experienced deforestation as people cut trees for agricultural land, charcoal, firewood, and construction materials, according to the Rwanda Forestry Authority. The Authority's main mission is to ensure the growth, management, and protection of forest resources for sustainable development purposes.
The continued deforestation has made the region vulnerable to dry spells, highlighting the need for significant investments in irrigation.
'We only use half of the year to grow crops because we are not able to do irrigation. These people seeking seats in parliament should consider such concerns so that irrigation is a priority in budget allocation,' said Xaverine Mukarurema, a resident of Kiramuruzi Sector in Nyagatare District.
Boniface Habarurema, another resident of Nyagatare District, mentioned that due to lengthy dry spells, their cattle cannot produce much milk. 'We need clean water in areas with pastures to be able to increase milk production. We can also grow fodder with enhanced irrigation,' he said.
Théogène Munyangeyo, Liberal Party's first vice president, stated that if the party's parliamentary aspirants are elected, they will advocate for budget allocation to ensure irrigation is prioritized. 'We have to advocate for modern agriculture. Irrigation will increase agricultural productivity. Once productivity increases, farmers will need agro-processing factories. For instance, a milk processing factory was completed in Nyagatare District but drought reduced production,' he said.
Agriculture and livestock farming promotion are part of PL's five-year manifesto. The manifesto includes advocating for boosting crop and livestock insurance, irrigation, fighting crop diseases and pests, using harvested rainwater in irrigation, climate-resilient crop varieties, and other investments needed to cope with climate change effects.
'We have to ensure that if a farmer cuts one tree, they plant 10 trees,' Munyangeyo added.
Valentine Rusine, one of the PL parliamentary aspirants, emphasized that all arable wetlands in Eastern Province need to be properly developed to increase productivity and build resilience to drought effects. 'We need to advocate for availing water from different sources to help farmers adapt to drought,' she said.
Currently, irrigation covers 71,000 hectares in Rwanda.
Source: New Times
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