Rice farmers in Bugarama sector, Rusizi district, are set to receive compensation after heavy rains destroyed more than 80 hectares of their crops.
The torrential rain, accompanied by hail, fell at the end of January 2026, devastating rice fields in the Bugarama valley.
Members of the Bugarama rice cooperative told RBA that the unusual storm caused significant losses, wiping out crops they had been preparing to harvest.
One farmer, Munyanyikindi Callixte, said, “We had been experiencing a prolonged dry spell and had received little rain. But in January, heavy rain and hail destroyed everything. We lost the rice we were expecting to harvest, which is our main crop in this sector and a key source of income for us.”
Farmers reported that areas which normally yield over 100 tons of rice were completely destroyed. “Hail fell suddenly and we found the entire crop dead when we went to harvest. The rice was completely ruined. We now have nothing,” he added.
Despite the losses, farmers said their crops had been insured, and they are hopeful they will receive compensation. They also urged fellow farmers to insure their crops to reduce future risks.
The president of the COPRORIKI cooperative in Gikundamvura sector, Hamenyimana Oscar, said they immediately reported the damage to the insurance company and began assessing the losses. “We went to the fields with the insurance team to inspect the damage. We are now measuring each farmer’s plot to determine compensation,” he explained.
In addition to crops, five houses in Bugarama were destroyed. Flooding from overflowing rivers also damaged fields and homes in the area.
Rusizi district mayor, Sindayiheba Phanuel, said that by April, works will begin to build the Ruhwa and Rubyiro canals to manage water and protect an additional 500 hectares of rice in the valley.
The recent rains also affected other sectors, destroying 45 hectares of rice in Gikundamvura, 23 hectares in Bugarama, 13 hectares in Nyakabuye, and over 5 hectares in Muganza.
The ministry of disaster management (MINEMA) urged communities to continue implementing disaster resilience measures, including prevention and mitigation of flood- and weather-related risks.
