The Gatsibo District administration is encouraging farmers to cultivate all arable land early, use fertilizers and productivity enhancers, and avoid mixing crops in order to achieve higher yields.
This comes as the MeteoRwanda has indicated that rainfall will be limited, especially in the Eastern Province.
Farmers in Kabarore Sector say preparations are well advanced, with some already planting seeds in their fields. Emmanuel Bakenga said: “We are well prepared and are planting maize. We have prepared fertilizer, the weather seems favorable, and we hope this season will be successful.”
Jeanette Akimana added: “I chose to plant beans because they give me a good harvest. When they yield well, you can sell them and buy maize or other essentials.”
Béatha Mukamana also said she is ready to plant maize, though she pointed out that accessing pesticides to control crop pests remains a challenge.
Jean Leonard Sekanyange, the Gatsibo District Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, urged farmers to make full use of available farmland.
He said: “No land should remain uncultivated. Those who cannot farm all of their land should find partners to work with. We want the 2026A season to yield enough for both food security and for farmers to generate income.”
He added that consultations and awareness campaigns have been conducted with different groups, including farmers’ cooperatives, agricultural partners, and NGOs. He also noted the implementation of a land consolidation program known as FOBASI, which will help boost production and ensure effective use of available resources.
Overall, both the district leadership and farmers in Gatsibo say they are well prepared, relying on cooperation, productivity enhancers, and strong commitment to ensure that the 2026A farming season delivers promising results.
