The European Union Ambassador to Rwanda Micheal Ryan made a working visit to Kayonza district, in Rwinkwavu sector to lean more about the effects of the drought that is reported to have damaged crops and made locals become food insecure. He, however, told media that the situation is not as worse as reported, adding that Rwandan government’s policies in this regard proved to be successful.
His visit concerned also Rwamagana district in Eastern province where he had talks with farmers and agricultural authorities on how the situation can be handled effectively before it generates into a famine.
Recently the European Union signed with Rwanda an agreement on a aid of 200 million Euros to be invested in agriculture and in its related fields of economy such a electricity.
Amb Ryan told media that he is entitled to visit different projects that Rwanda initiated and assess how effective the European aid is being invested.
He said that the countryside areas are the most concerned as agriculture is remarkably practiced in such areas.
The EU Ambassador to Rwanda visited different swamps such as Fumbwe in Rwamagana district and Murama Swamp in Kayonza district.
The Murama swamp is used as a seed multiplication area of vitamin rich sweet potatoes and the one of Rwinkwavu in which greens and sweet potatoes are cultivated.
Local farmers told him that cultivating such sweet potatoes enabled them to survive in the harsh sunny period.
After assessing the onground situation, Ambassador Ryan told reporters that he appreciated the efforts Rwandan government has in reducing the impact of the long lasting drought in the Eastern province.
For him the availability of the fortified orange sweet potatoes in two areas he visited will help locals to have healthy and nutritious food useful in such sunny period.
Ambassador Micheal Ryan promised that the European Union keeps its commitment in backing Rwanda in its path towards sustainable development in different areas of national life.
UM– USEKE.RW
