On Saturday, March 1, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente officially launched the 2025 B agricultural season in Ngororero District.
The event was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Local Government, Dr. Patrice Mugenzi; the Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Inès Mpambara; the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe; the Minister of State in the Ministry of Local Government, Marie-Solange Kayisire; the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Eric Rwigamba; and the Governor of the Western Province, Jean Bosco Ntibitura, among others.
In his address, Prime Minister Dr. Ngirente urged citizens to embrace hard work and maintain peace in their communities. “Avoid conflicts and reduce unnecessary legal disputes,” he emphasized.
He further conveyed President Paul Kagame’s message to the people of Ngororero, stressing the importance of security and economic progress.
“The key to development lies in making good use of available land. Cultivating crops on time and effectively managing agricultural resources will help fight unemployment,” he noted.
He added, “You often hear discussions about unemployment. If we are fortunate to have land like this, we can use it for both farming and livestock. Let’s engage in productive work to improve our livelihoods.”
The Prime Minister also underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring national security, which he described as a foundation for sustainable development. “Beyond all else, the government expects you to contribute to maintaining peace. Only with security can all other initiatives thrive, allowing citizens to live and sleep peacefully. This is the vision of the Head of State, and it is what we all desire.”
Dr. Ngirente also took the opportunity to urge parents to foster harmony in their homes and avoid alcoholism and drug abuse, as these vices hinder economic productivity and contribute to persistent poverty.
Several residents shared their perspectives on the role of agriculture in improving their standards of living.
Vestine Abagirimana, a local farmer, recounted her transformation: “Previously, I harvested only a few kilograms of potatoes, which were insufficient to sustain my household or pay for my children’s education. But after learning modern farming techniques, I now harvest a ton of potatoes, which enables me to pay school fees and improve my family’s well-being.”
As part of the season’s launch, the KABKAM cooperative received support to cultivate potato seeds on a one-hectare plot, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity.