WESTERN PROVINCE FOCUSES ON AGRICULTURAL REFORMS,

UNCLAS KIGALI 000784 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV ECON EAGR RW SUBJECT: WESTERN PROVINCE FOCUSES ON AGRICULTURAL REFORMS, SERVICE DELIVERY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On November 17, local officials in Western Province said they were focused on implementing agricultural reforms and improving delivery of basic services. Lack of financing and inadequate transportation infrastructure remained challenges. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On November 17, Emboff met separately with the executive secretaries of Karongi District and Western Province to discuss major issues and challenges in those areas. Western Province is composed of seven districts (including Karongi District),96 sectors, 538 cells, and 3,612 villages. Provincial administrations have three main roles--to coordinate district plans, to follow-up on the implementation of those plans, and to mobilize resources. Western province, with a population of over two million people, produces more than 60% of the nation's coffee, is home to 60 percent of the nation's tea plantations, and is also a large producer of bananas, Irish potatoes, rice, maize, and wheat. This province, which borders the entire shore of Lake Kivu, also has the largest hydroelectric plant on the Rusizi River. Beyond agriculture, the Western Province includes tourist sites such as Kibuye and the Nyungwe Forest. ¶3. (U) Karongi District is home to the Gisovu tea plantation, which produces internationally renowned tea and also has a small fish processing plant. The executive secretary, who has been in his position for six months, stressed that the most important program in the district is agricultural reform - both land consolidation and crop intensification. The district set a target of consolidating 800 hectares of land for maize production and has exceeded the goal by 300 hectares. Additionally, the district has plans to consolidate land for banana plantations. Other programs include terracing and tree planting to prevent erosion, savings and loan schemes, promoting medical insurance and building 101 new classrooms by the end of the year. ¶4. (U) The executive secretary of Western Province, who has been in his position since April, noted the need for improved roads. Poor roads deter investors and increase the cost of goods transported from elsewhere. He mentioned the underutilized Lake Kivu as a possibility for transportation and shipping by boat. As of now, the provincial governor is encouraging all districts, as well as the private sector, to contribute to the Western Province Investment Corporation. Collected funds will be invested in different development projects throughout the province. ¶5. (SBU) COMMENT: The activities described above--designed to improve agricultural productivity, improve delivery of services, and increase savings--fit in with Rwanda's long-term national development plans, and are similar if not identical to initiatives that the rest of Rwanda's 30 districts are pursuing. END COMMENT. SYMINGTON