In 2010, farmers in Rwanda’s Nyagatare District lost over 4,000 hectares of maize due to a serious drought during the rain/cropping season. In an at least sectors of the district, a new government irrigation system will reduce the climate risks of rain-dependent farming.
Irrigation canals are currently being constructed in the Matimba and Musheri sectors of the district, with the scheme expected to be ready for farmers’ use in time for the 2012/2013 farming season.
The first phase will cover 400 hectares, with gradual expansion to the rest of the district. Rwanda’s New Times reports that it is a long term project ‘expected to last for over 20 years.’
An agronomist in the ministry of agriculture said, “Farmers have been carrying out their activities in valleys and swamps during dry seasons…but this new project will even see upland farming during the dry spell.”
African Agriculture
To ease your site search, article categories are at bottom of page.
February 21, 2012
Rwanda irrigation project to make maize farming more secure
Categories irrigation, maize, Rwanda
