Farmer’s testimonies regarding improved livelihoods and agriculture practices among Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) project beneficiaries of Rwamagana site, Rwamagana district have impressed the World Bank team.
The World Bank team touring Rwamagana hillside irrigation.
The team was led by Mr. Andrew Ndaamunhu Bvumbe, World Bank Group; Executive Director, Africa Group, visited the area accompanied by Dr. Charles Bucagu, Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture Research and Technology Transfer at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Mr. Regis Mudaheranwa, Rwamagana District Vice Mayor in charge of Finance and Economic Development and Mr. Esdras Byiringiro, Acting Coordinator, SPIU RSSP-RCSP among others.
One of Rwamagana farmers explaining to the World Bank delegation about irrigation system and its impact to agricultural activities to farmers in the area.
The World Bank Group visited hillside irrigation scheme and later on had interactive discussions with farmers regarding their farming success stories following LWH intervention in Rwamagana District.
Farmers shared testimonies on a wide range of practices that had ultimately promoted sustainable agriculture and, poverty alleviation in the area.
Alphonsine Mukamana, President of Water Users Association (WUAs), Rwamagana Hillside Irrigation scheme sharing her testimony. Her life has been changed for better thanks to LWH intervention.
Through LWH support, farmers in Rwamagana District have taken initiatives such as the use of land management techniques, the production of compost and improved farming methods and as well as hillside irrigation scheme which have greatly increased crop produce hence improved livelihoods.
“The World Bank believes that agriculture should be a business and can be serious tool to transform the lives of farmers and this is testified today and we are so happy with the outcome of the LWH intervention,” said Ndaamunhu.
Headded: “I am so amazed by the women inclusion in agriculture transformation in this area. When agriculture is driven by women, there is always success.”
Mr. Andrew Ndaamunhu Bvumbe, World Bank Group; Executive Director, Africa Group, (middle) addressing Rwamagana farmers.
Ndaamunhu encouraged Rwamagana farmers to continue working hard and transforming their lives for better and as well engage in agri-business activities.
“I must commend you for being committed to develop agriculture and improve you lives. I have been impressed by your great testimonies,” Bucagu told farmers.
Dr. Charles Bucagu, Deputy Director General in charge of Agriculture Research and Technology Transfer at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) addressing farmers.
He encouraged them to uphold different steps taken to develop agriculture which ensured that farmers produce enough for consumption and for commercial gains.
Olive Namahoro, one of the LWH beneficiaries sharing her agriculture success story.
One of the farmers, Olive Namahoro said that her life has dramatically improved after registering increased crop produce and she is able to get enough yield for home consumption and surplus for markets.
“We were lucky to have LWH in our area. Traditional subsistence agriculture had affected our standards of living because we produced less than what our families consumed. We expect great yield season by season because the project taught us better farming practices,” she said.
One of horticultural crop field in Rwamagana District. Farmers are able to grow vegetables and fruits for exports due to available water for irrigation.
LWH beneficiaries in Rwamagana district who once survived on little food are now able to raise enough food to eat as well as sell for high market rates.
Agricultural prosperity has led to farmers having permanent homes, access to electricity and comforts such as bicycles and motorbikes among others.
World Bank delegation following a presentation on Rwamanaga land treatment and Hillisde Irrigation.
The LWH project was introduced in June 02, 2010 by the government of Rwanda through a basket funding from various Multi-donor organizations. It closed on June 29, 2018 after intervening in 13 districts across the country where 318,255 benefited directly from the Project (47% of them being females).
Mr. Esdras Byiringiro, Acting Coordinator, SPIU RSSP-RCSP talking to the World Bank team during the visit to Rwamagana LWH site.
LWH focused on increasing productivity and commercialization of agriculture on the hillside of Rwanda.
A total of 2,841ha in rain fed area were developed using comprehensive land husbandry technologies and 267ha were developed for hillside irrigation in Rwamagana district.
World Bank team touring crop fields in LWH site in Rwamagana District.
The projected benefited 31,756 direct beneficiaries where women represent more than 50 percent.
Two strong cooperatives called Gwiza and Hirwa were formed in the area courtesy of LWH intervention.