As he officially launched the 2026A agricultural season, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva called on farmers in Nyaruguru District to strengthen their efforts to boost agricultural productivity. He encouraged them to consider crop insurance as a strategy to protect themselves from losses due to natural disasters, emphasizing it as a means to sustain and increase yields.
This message was delivered on Monday, September 22, 2025, during the start of a two-day tour in the Southern Province, where the Prime Minister also officially opened the 2026A planting season.
The launch event took place in Urwonjya Marshland, located in Nyagisozi Sector, Nyaruguru District. Dr. Nsengiyumva was accompanied by the Minister of Local Government, the Minister of Infrastructure, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, among other officials.
Addressing the local farmers, the Prime Minister conveyed greetings and a message from His Excellency the President of the Republic, saying:
“We thought of you and came to launch the 2026A agricultural season together. Agriculture is a cornerstone of Rwanda’s economy. As leaders, we’re also constantly thinking of strategies to advance our agriculture.” He emphasized.
“We came to show that we support you, and we encourage you to keep striving for progress in everything you do. From the energy and determination, I’ve seen in this marshland, I believe that if you maintain this effort, your yields will multiply significantly.”
Farmers in the area currently harvest around 5 tons per hectare, up from 1 ton per hectare before they began cultivating the marshland. The Prime Minister challenged them to aim even higher setting a new target of 10 tons per hectare.
“What if someone made this a personal goal wouldn’t we be able to achieve it? That’s the kind of commitment we want. We’ll come back during harvest time to see if you met the target.” He spoke.
He reminded farmers that increasing productivity requires the use of agricultural inputs (fertilizers and improved seeds) and that those farming outside the marshland should adopt irrigation methods.
Dr. Nsengiyumva also encouraged them to insure their crops to guard against losses from climate-related disasters:
“Think seriously about insurance. The government has already established crop insurance programs. You know the weather can sometimes be harsh, but with insurance, you have a safety net.”
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), the goal for this planting season is to increase production by maximizing the use of marshlands and consolidated farmland (FoBaSi – Consolidated Food Basket Sites) to ensure food security and a larger food supply.
The Prime Minister’s tour will continue across other parts of the Southern Province, where he is scheduled to visit various development projects and hold discussions with citizens about the challenges they face.
By Venuste Habineza