The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Rwanda has finalised a two-week training of 77 residents of Karongi district on low cost commercial farming and effective land utilisation aimed at boosting food security and increasing household earnings.

According to the daily newspaper "The New Times" the training took place at Gako organic farming training centre located in Kabuga, Gasabo district. "I am in the business of growing maracuja but I have been using rudimentary methods with this training, however, I believe I will be able to significantly increase my harvest," said Afrodis Mukomeza, 33 who expanded from subsistence to commercial farming in 2003.

Libert Mukama, the official in charge of development and leadership in Karongi district said that they are still faced with the problem of poor soils and soil erosion. He said that upon getting home, the trainees are expected to put into practice what they had learnt and become models in their respective localities.

"You have got the training but the most important thing is putting it into action. We want you to be exemplary back home," he told participants upon receiving their certificates. Out of the 77 participants, 25 were women.

Geoffrey Ngiriwunganya, of action for social change a programme under ADRA said that the farming methods were intended to equip Karongi residents with necessary farming skills to help them make an effective transition from subsistence to commercial farming.

"Recently most of these people were only growing crops for home consumption. But we want them to use these skills to move to commercial farming so that they can increase their household income," he said.

Last year, ADRA Rwanda trained over 60 farmers from Nyagatare district.

ADRA Rwanda was established in 1978, in order to assist the most needy and under-privileged. Through its activities, ADRA Rwanda seeks to restore self-respect and dignity to the people it works with and for, irrespective of race, tribal, religion, color or creed. ADRA Rwanda has implemented a large variety of relief and development programs nationwide.