Farmers in Mamba Sector, Gisagara District, say corn cultivation in the Akanyaru wetland has become a vital source of income, helping them improve household welfare, pay school fees and invest in development projects. They now want to increase production through improved farming practices and better use of the wetland.
For years, the Akanyaru wetland has provided farmers in Mamba Sector, Gisagara District, with an important source of agricultural livelihood. Today, those cultivating corn in the wetland say the activity is helping transform their families’ economic prospects.
The farmers report that income from corn sales has enabled them to meet essential household needs while also investing in projects that were previously beyond their reach.
Getrude Mukashyaka, a corn farmer in Akanyaru, said the wetland has created opportunities for farmers to improve their lives through agriculture.
“Corn farming in this wetland has helped us tremendously. When we get a good harvest, we sell it and earn money that enables us to pay our children’s school fees, provide food for our families and invest in other development activities,” she said.
Despite the progress made, farmers say increasing productivity remains a priority. They want to make more effective use of the wetland and adopt farming methods that can help them obtain better harvests. Among the measures they identify are the use of improved seed varieties, fertilizers and modern agricultural techniques.
Jean Baptiste Ntamugabumwe, president of a cooperative representing some farmers working in the wetland, said Akanyaru had become an important foundation for agricultural development in the area.
“This wetland has contributed significantly to our development. Farmers have access to land where they can cultivate, harvest and earn income. Some have even expanded their businesses using money generated from farming. Our priority now is to increase productivity so that farmers can continue improving their livelihoods,” he said.
The district says it is supporting farmers through access to fertilizers and other agricultural inputs, promoting improved farming practices and working with them to address challenges affecting production.
Jérôme Rutaburingoga, Mayor of Gisagara District, said the authorities were committed to help farmers increase their yields.
“We are doing everything possible to increase farmers’ productivity. We support them in accessing fertilizers and other agricultural inputs, while also following up on the challenges they face so that appropriate solutions can be found. Our goal is to ensure that cultivated land produces higher yields and contributes to improving people’s livelihoods,” he said.
Figures cited by the district indicate that average corn yields increased from 2.8 tonnes per hectare in 2021 to 4.5 tonnes per hectare in 2026. That represents a gain of 1.7 tonnes per hectare, or approximately 60.7 percent compared with the 2021 level.
