Cablegate: Western Province Focuses On Agricultural Reforms,

VZCZCXRO7328
PP RUEHGI RUEHRN
DE RUEHLGB #0784 3281652
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241652Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6444
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUZEFAA/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP 0108

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

© Scoop Media