Farmers deserve praise to the hard-working service to feed people across the country. They are exemplary with their endless hard work, not only do they provide food we eat, but farmers also contribute to the economy in numerous ways.
ABAJYANA NIGIHE Cooperative in Kabere Village, Cyogo Cell in Muko Sector, Musanze District is one of the farmer organizations to appreciate for its dedication to farming. The cooperative recently faced disasters after heavy rains destroyed most parts of their farmland. The early May heavy rains flooded Karuyege lowlands where the cooperative farms maize, beans, fruits and vegetables. Water from the neighboring mountains caused landslides and floods when they broke the stream banks. The waters of Mburamazi and Marara streams from the mountains destroyed everything in its pass and drained the wreckage to riparian farms downstream in Karuyege lowland. In a bid to restore what was destroyed, the cooperative used the build up activities for the Farmer’s Day initiated by RDO by mobilizing members in a special community work (Umuganda) to clear the drainage system of the stream now filled with stones and wreckage. Fidele Wibabara, President of ABAJYANA NIGIHE said that obstruction removal of stones, fallen trees, debris, sand and gravel bars from the drainage system of the stream was very important undertaking to repair their farms. Since the stream channelled the water to the farmland downstream, the cooperative wants to repair the drainage before rains come to avoid another destruction, by properly channeling water to where it is supposed to go. The president of the cooperative said there was no better way to do this than in preparation of the Farmers' Day. When RDO approached them with the idea, the cooperative automatically organized the activity.
“Farmers' Day is a great initiative and we’re very happy that RDO thought about farmers to restore their value. Our cooperative in collaboration with RDO dedicated these Umuganda activities of restoring our damaged farms as away to give value to the Farmers' Day,” Wibabara said. Kennedy Ntahondi, RDO field officer in Musanze District thanked farmers who had turned up in Umuganda for their commitment and giving value to what he had requested of them, as one of the activities leading up to the Farmers' Day.
“RDO initiated Farmers' Day to recognize the importance and significant role played by farmers,” Ntahondi told a gathering of farmers at Karuyege lowland. “This initiative raises a farmer higher, gives us dignity and will benefit all people,” observed Donatha Mukandayisenga, a member of the cooperative.
Mukandayisenga thanked RDO for organizing a Farmers' Day saying she had never had of any initiative like this, which she thinks will give more value to this noble profession. In the midst of this harvest-season, RDO in collaboration with partners are organizing a national Farmer’s Day on 14th July 2023 in Kayonza to pay tribute to the men, women, and families who put food in markets and on our tables every day. While thanking farmers is one way to celebrate the day, through a mini exhibition the day will feature best agricultural practices and explore farmers’ challenges and solutions in the country. The event will be of interest not only to smallholder farmers, but ideal event for all stakeholders like practitioners and agribusinesses to find targeted information about technical solutions, agricultural inputs and market linkages. Build-up activities in preparation of the Farmers' Day already started countrywide, the activities will culminate into the final day in Kayonza.
