Rulindo: Launch of Environmentally Friendly Farming
The Governor of the Northern Province, Mugabowagahunde Maurice, praised farmers who have begun piloting environmentally friendly farming practices in their fields, ensuring that food is produced without harming the environment.
He made these remarks on September 18, 2025, while joining farmers in launching the 2026 A planting season in Nyarububa marshland, located in Rukozo Sector, Mberuka Cell, in the Northern Province.
Governor Mugabowagahunde explained that, unlike traditional methods where entire plots are ploughed, farmers are now practicing a technique that involves clearing the land, setting aside grasses, digging pits for seeds and fertilizers, and then mulching the surface. This method not only ensures a good harvest but also prevents soil erosion from rainwater, which in the past caused serious losses.
He stated: “We appreciate these efforts to adopt farming practices that conserve the environment. We have planted on large areas, and we expect good harvests, but we will only achieve this by working together. Farmers are urged to follow the advice of agricultural experts, prepare their fields on time, plant seeds on time, and apply both organic and chemical fertilizers on time so that, when harvest comes, we will achieve a satisfying yield.”
The Nyarububa marshland, where the environmentally friendly farming pilot was introduced, is being cultivated by 1,302 members of a cooperative. The marshland covers 81 hectares planted with maize. According to agricultural experts, one hectare can yield between four and five tons of maize if farmed properly.
Farmers in Rukozo Sector planted maize on adjacent plots — some using traditional methods and others applying environmentally friendly techniques — in order to compare the harvest results when the crops mature.
They expressed gratitude for the strong support of the European Union (EU), which provided training in collaboration with Care International through Duhamic-Adri, a rural development organization, under a project called Kungahara Project.
Belitirde Mukandepanda, one of the farmers who adopted the new method, explained that they prepare the soil by digging pits, planting, and mulching — a process similar to covering the field. This prevents rain from washing away the soil and allows water to infiltrate the land rather than flow away.
Habimana Théogène, Project Manager at Duhamic-Adri, emphasized their continued support for rural farmers. He noted that they had provided a modern drying facility to help farmers process their harvests, as well as constructing a market for fruits and vegetables in Cyungo Sector, near Rukozo, to further promote rural development.
