Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) in collaboration with Japan International Cooperation agency (JICA) on February 07, 2019 launched the project for rehabilitation of irrigation facilities in Rwamagana District.
The project covers three marshland totaling 170 ha located between three sectors namely Kigabiro, Mwulire, and Rubona of Rwamagana District.
The project is being implemented under the Japan Grant Aid equivalent to about Frw 16 billion.
Speaking at the launch of the project, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Jean Claude Musabyimana, urged the farmers to maintain the irrigation facilities properly and take advantage of them to increase their farm yields.
“This irrigation project is expected to provide many people with jobs in this area, improve rice farming, and so forth. So don’t waste this opportunity, and make sure that you make a step forward by the end of the project,” the PS told Rwamagana farmers.
The project includes the rehabilitation and improvement of two storage dams, Cyimima and Gashara, the construction of one new storage dam, Bugugu, and the construction of a 23.5 km concrete main canal as well as the soft component focusing on capacity building of farmers.
The project will improve rice production in targeted area and hence contribute to increase of income and improved livelihood for farmers.
JICA’s contribution in irrigation sector aligns with the Rwandan government policy to enhance the resilience and secure the productivity in the agricultural sector.
The government seven-year program envisions to increase agricultural production by increasing irrigated area from 48,508 ha in 2016/2017 to 102,284 ha in 2024