{"id":121518,"date":"2026-04-06T11:54:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T11:54:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/kayonza-farmers-demand-second-reservoir-after-flood-losses"},"modified":"2026-04-06T12:05:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T12:05:38","slug":"kayonza-farmers-demand-second-reservoir-after-flood-losses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/photo\/kayonza-farmers-demand-second-reservoir-after-flood-losses","title":{"rendered":"Kayonza farmers demand second reservoir after flood losses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Farmers in Kayonza District are calling for the construction of a second reservoir after floods destroyed 40 tonnes of rice in the Gacaca wetland in Murundi Sector last year.<\/p>\n

The farmers say the flooding is linked to an incomplete government project that initially planned two reservoirs but delivered only one.<\/p>\n

More than 1,900 farmers, organised under the Dutere Imbere Murundi Cooperative, cultivate over 300 hectares of developed land. Another section had been earmarked for the second reservoir, which was never built.<\/p>\n

Anastase Nkomeje, the cooperative\u2019s president, said the wetland was developed under the RSSP project, which included plans for two reservoirs.<\/p>\n

Anastase Nkomeje, the cooperative\u2019s president, said the wetland was developed under the RSSP project, which included plans for two reservoirs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey never built the second reservoir. When water levels rise, it flows into the area where the reservoir was supposed to be, flooding our fields. Last year alone, 40 hectares of rice were destroyed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Nkomeje added that the situation worsens during dry periods, when the absence of the reservoir leaves farmers without sufficient irrigation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe urge leaders to construct the second reservoir at Karuruma to regulate water flow and protect our crops,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Seraphine Nyiranzabonimana, a farmer from Macuba Village in Murundi Cell, speaks to journalists<\/p>\n

Seraphine Nyiranzabonimana, a farmer from Macuba Village in Murundi Cell, said excess water from the unutilised reservoir site continues to damage crops.<\/p>\n

\u201cOut of the four rice plots I had, two were washed away,\u201d she said. \u201cI encourage farmers to embrace crop insurance. Without the payout I received, this season would have been very difficult.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kayonza District acting mayor Fred Hategekimana acknowledged the challenge, noting that expanding the wetland infrastructure is key to stabilising production.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn collaboration with the KIIWP project, we have completed a feasibility study for the second reservoir. If all goes according to plan, construction will begin next month, alongside efforts to expand the cultivable area,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Established in 2013, the Dutere Imbere Murundi Cooperative brings together 1,914 farmers cultivating about 330 hectares of rice, with an average seasonal output of 1,800 tonnes.<\/p>\n

The Gacaca marshland, located in Murundi Sector, spans a 26-kilometre stretch from Ryamanyoni to Karambi cells.<\/p>\n

The cooperative also runs a social support scheme, using proceeds from rice sales to pay school fees for members\u2019 children before distributing remaining earnings to parents.<\/p>\n

The Gacaca marshland, located in Murundi Sector, spans a 26-kilometre stretch from Ryamanyoni to Karambi cells. It is a key rice-growing area fed by Gacaca water springs, but remains vulnerable to flooding and water shortages due to incomplete infrastructure.<\/p>\n\r\n