LWH land husbandry technologies drive Rwanda’s ambition in improving crop productivity

Land husbandry technologies suitable for mountainous nature of landscape were introduced in the country seven years ago to curb down the soil loss in the hillsides.

It was initiated by the Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside irrigation (LWH) project which is implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal resources.

LWH was introduced by the government of Rwanda in 2010 to increase productivity and commercialization of hillside agriculture in some of the poorest areas across the country.

Treated land with comprehensive land husbandry technologies in Ngororero site, Ngororero District, Western Province.

The project jointly funded by the Government of Rwanda and multi-donor organizations such as USAID, the World Bank, the GAFSP, the Canadian International Development Agency introduced a wide range if innovations in the country that have played a great role in improving agriculture practices and alleviating poverty in rural areas.

The land husbandry farming system involves a modified watershed approach that includes sustainable land husbandry measures for hillside agriculture on selected sites whereby several land management techniques (soil bunds, terraces, cut-off drains, water ways, a forestation and reforestation) as well as strengthening terraces with risers to develop appropriate land husbandry practices for both rain-fed and irrigated agriculture to provide modern agricultural techniques for higher production of annual and perennial crops.

During land husbandry works in Ngororero site in Ngororero District, Western Province.

After land treatment in Ngororero site in Ngororero District, Western Province.

Before land husbandry technologies were introduced in several areas across the country, being hilly and rugged areas prone to severe soil erosion, farmers suffered from chronic poverty due to unproductive land coupled with poor agricultural practices.

Land husbandry is implemented in poor, hilly and poverty stricken areas of districts of Karongi, Nyanza, Gatsibo, Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, Rulindo, Gicumbi, Rutsiro, Nyabihu, Ngororero and Nyamagabe.

Initially before the project intervention, farmers were unable to reach their full potential and as a result many rural farmers remained poor as they barely produced enough to feed their families.

With the introduction of land husbandry farming system in 2010, hundreds of thousands of poor rural farmers in the project intervention areas have been supported to break out of poverty and obtain food security.

Land hudbandry works in Karongi site, Karongi District, Western Province. Farmers participated in transformation of their land and we paid by the Project to treat their land.

More than 19,500 ha of land have been treated with comprehensive land husbandry technologies across sites; out of which over 3,400 ha were marginal land and were made productive after land husbandry works; 98 percent of land has been protected against soil erosion from 26 percent before the Project intervention. More than 20,000 people employed as manpower in comprehensive Land Husbandry works.

“Our land was unproductive and barren; we only survived on maize and wheat because that is where we managed to get yields. But after implementing land husbandry technologies in our land, we immediately cultivated Irish potatoes and the harvest was amazing,” said Olive Nyirahabimana, 31, a resident of Bugonde village, Kibisabo Cell, Rambura Sector, Nyabihu District.

Treated land in Nyabihu Site, Nyabihu District, Western Province.

“I used to harvest 100 kilograms of Irish potatoes which did not satisfy my family. Life was very challenging at the time because I had no income to sustain my family. After harvesting 3 tones of Irish potatoes, I sold part of the produce and got money to buy new clothes for my family, fertilizers and three sheep,” she adds.

Nyirahabimana participated in terracing works where she got money for health insurance scheme-Mutuelle de santé, buying fertilizers and food for the family.

Irish Potatoes grown in the land treated by the LWH in Karongi-13 site, Karongi Distrcit, Western Province.

She said: “I thank the government of Rwanda and LWH for making our land productive because soil erosion had washed away the fertile soil which left the land unproductive.”

Joseph Bihoyiki, 49, a resident of Gasherwe Village, Gacurabwenge Cell, Byumba Sector, Gicumbi District had never thought of a better life since he has been languishing in poverty for the past many years, but he has now become a model farmer in Gicumbi as a result of LWH land husbandry technologies.

Irish Potatoes grown in the land treated by the LWH in Karongi-13 site, Karongi Distrcit, Western Province.

“When the project started land husbandry works in our area, I participated in terracing works and I was paid for the work done. The money I got helped me a lot towards paying health insurance (Mutuelle de santé) for my family and as well as school fees for my children. I also bought fertilizers from the earnings I got from terracing works,” he said.

Bihoyi added that he never believed in the benefits accruing from land consolidation and cultivation of one crop, until he harvested 600 kilograms of beans on 30 Ares, unlike before when he used to harvest 120 kilograms on the same land.

Maize grown in LWH treated land in Gicumbi Site, Gicumbi District, Northern Province.

After registering an increased crop produce, he immediately sold part of the produce to local markets and earned Rwf180, 000 which he used to start his faming business. Bihoyiki renovated his house, and has since started passion fruit farming business.

He is commonly referred to as ‘a proud’ farmer. This is because whenever he talks about his farming story, there is a hint of boasting and arrogance. He is a proud farmer Indeed, because he is living large, thanks to LWH sustainable farming methods.

LWH empowered small holder farmers in rural areas in Rwanda through cooperative development

Following the implementation of the recently concluded Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) Project over the past eight years, 26 strong farmers’ cooperatives have been formed across all areas/sites where the project has intervened.

Rural farmers ‘cooperatives are playing a crucial role in the hunger and poverty alleviation, in the promotion of social harmony and in the achievement of more equitable economic growth.

The cooperatives provide small holder farmers with an easy access to financial resources to improve the crop production where many of them previously lacked finances to access approved and proper seeds, manure and pest-sides.

“The cooperatives were established for various purposes, including economic and social development, empowering smallholders, to address market failures, purchase agricultural inputs at affordable prices, and advise them on better and sustainable agricultural practices,” says Laban Mpakaniye, Value Chain Formation Specialist, SPIU Marshland and Hillside Irrigation-RSSP/RCSP Projects.

He explains that the major roles of the cooperatives to the rural communities include poverty reduction, employment creation, improved food security, women empowerment and human capital development.

Farmers form a cooperative after being organized in Self Help Groups (SHGs) and zones and as well as trained for a period of one year so that so that they can be inspired to have a strong cooperative in place.

Before the formation of cooperatives, the LWH project community development team embarked on sensitizing smallholder farmers on ownership of project activities.

Here, the project used participatory land-use process to promote high stakeholder involvement to empower farmers in a comprehensive and sustainable land use management.

For better farmers ‘organization, SHGs which comprise 15 to 20 neighboring households were formed on land proximity aimed at liberating the mindset of the rural households from individualistic, multi-crop, subsistence farming to group-based land-use consolidation systems which lead to cooperative formation.

After the formation of SHGs, the LWH community development staff supported farmers in SHGs to form zones. Zones are made of 6 to 10 SHGs.

From the zonal formation, cooperatives are formed. The ultimate goal is to ensure that farmers are involved to participate in their own transformation.

“The farmers, who individually owned very small portions of land, found relief in cooperatives by putting together their production factors: land, labor and capital. Cooperatives are autonomous and member-driven in order create value for farmers,” says Mpakaniye.

He explains that LWH facilitated farmers to form strong farmer groups and as well as trained them better agricultural technologies such as compost making, post-harvest handling, marketing, business planning, saving and the use of tree nursery maintenance to strengthen terraces.

“Cooperatives strengthen their positioning in the food chain and enable members to better market their produce, get a higher return for it and find new outlets for it. They invest and facilitate the uptake of new techniques like smart agriculture.”

The project provided demand driven agricultural cooperative development with a special emphasis on business planning, post-harvest handling, buying and selling in the market, market analysis, financial planning, audit, inventory and stock checking, understanding input cost and pricing among others.

LWH empowered agricultural rural cooperatives to thrive as sustainable business enterprises for instance some cooperatives have started income generating activities in order to promote social harmony and achieve equitable economic growth.

“We have been supported by the project to grow which has boosted our confidence to become self sustainable. We have constructed a green house and now producing potato seeds on our own. Our focus is to support the Rwanda Agriculture Board in potato seed multiplication,” said Deny Sezibera, President of Huguka Cooperative.

Huguka Cooperative is located in Horezo Cell, Kageyo and Mutete Sectors, Gicumbi District. It comprises of 500 members of which 223 women with Rwf4, 620,000 savings.

Sezibera says that the cooperative supports a range of innovative activities, including savings, compost making, seed multiplication, investments, mobilization and trainings of farmers among others.

Huguka Cooperative has invested in seed multiplication of wheat, Irish potatoes and Tomatoes and the target is to ensure a sustainable seed production system among small holder farmers.

The major roles of the cooperatives to the rural communities include poverty reduction, employment creation, improved food security, women empowerment and human capital development.

Cooperatives formed under LWH intervention support are playing a significant role in sustaining the livelihoods of the rural communities in LWH intervention sites across the country.

Meeting our goals: LWH promoting gender equality in agriculture

The Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) recognizes the potential of rural women and men in achieving food security and nutrition and is committed to overcoming gender inequality, in line with the pledge to “leave no one behind”, which is at the heart of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the 2030 Agenda.

In traditional rural societies in sub-Saharan Africa, women are known to grow 80 per cent of food produced, and yet few are allowed to own the land they work. It is often more difficult for women to gain access to land, finance and education.

Agricultural extension and formal financial institutions are biased towardSuccess Storiess a male clientele' despite women's producing about 60-70 percent of the food. While women provide the majority of the labor in agricultural production, their access and control over productive resources is greatly constrained due to inequalities constructed by patriarchal norms.

Rwanda is among few countries that have made great progress in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women, largely backed by strong government commitment.

Following the intervention of LWH in 2010, the project has placed gender equality and women empowerment in its key strategic objectives in agriculture value chain and rural development.

Through capacity building and access to more reliable information about gender inequality in smallholder farming, LWH promoted gender-sensitive policy and planning in its areas of intervention across the country. This has eliminated inequalities in women’s access to productive resources.

Since 2010, LWH ensured acceleration of gender equality and women empowerment where progress towards parity in the key economic activities including agricultural value chain increased dramatically with the gap – which stands at 40 percent from 18 percent in 2008.

More than 47 percent of women in the LWH intervention areas are able to access to the means for increasing output and yields, and for moving from subsistence farming to higher-value, market-oriented production.

Compared to men, more than 30 percent of women farmers in LWH sites own land. About 35 percent agricultural extension workers are women. 45 percent of women are able to access loans from financial institutions.

“We have been able to promote gender inclusive in all economic pillars including agricultural value chain. Women who found difficulty in accessing bank loans, and often lacked the confidence to start their own businesses have been empowered and linked to agricultural value chains from production all the way to processing and marketing,” says Jean Claude Karemera, Rural Finance Specialist LWH Project.

He explains that LWH’s strategy aims at creating “enabling environments” that benefit everyone in the rural agriculture value chain. It calls for policies that enhance agricultural productivity for men and women, youth and elderly.

However, Benjamin Bucyana, Capacity Building Specialist at LWH, says that the project has put gender equality at the centre of agricultural intervention activities.

“In the project intervention sites, many women have been empowered to have equal access to agricultural opportunities and resources as men, they have been equipped to meet future challenges,” he added.

Bucyana explains that LWH has linked women to agricultural value chains from production all the way to processing and marketing, which has made small holder farming more productive and commercially viable.

The project has also improved rural women’s access to training and information by providing them with knowledge on improved agricultural practices where by training and agricultural technologies are accessible to women and adapted to their needs and constraints.

Marie Claire Mukandahiro was a happy school teacher when her husband was still alive. She only contributed little to the family's earnings. At the time, her late husband was the family's sole breadwinner.

The 56-year old widow, a resident of Nyarugenge Cell, Rubengera Sector, Karongi District struggled to raise her children with her meager earnings from teaching until she ventured into agriculture.

Since she began participating in LWH intervention activities, Mukandahiro learned how to use new and more effective and improved agricultural techniques, allowing her to triple her yields of maize, beans and onions.

“The project has empowered women in our area to participate in improved agricultural activities. I am an advisor in our Self-Help Group (SHG) and I feel more empowered in my role as a woman in my community,” Mukandahiro says.

Thanks to her increased income, Mukandahiro opened a savings account for the first time following LWH intervention and has purchased additional land. Being a widow, she stepped in and took charge of the family - including providing for virtually all needs.

“After LWH has treated my land, I cultivated onions on 26 Ares and harvested 2 tons, and earned Rwf600, 000. I bought a cow at Rwf200, 000 which is yet to produce a calf. Before land treatment I was only harvesting 500 kilograms of onions on the same plot,” she says.

Colethe Nyiraneza, President of KOABIKARU-Irish potato growers’ cooperative in Karongi LWH site says that before LWH intervention women were marginalized and often had little access to financial resources, knowledge and technology to improve their crop yields.

“Now women make up two thirds of all active members of the established committees of our cooperative. The participation of women on cooperative leadership has boosted cooperative activities and that their increased engagement has become a valuable asset for the community,” she says.

The project anticipates that in the long run, many more women will be able to own land, food production and security will increase and the basic socio-economic rights of women living in rural areas will be respected due to gender empowerment.

Nizeyimana reaps big from onion farming thanks to LWH support

Like many farmers in the intervention areas of the Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) Project, Theoneste Nizeyimana looks to better future following a dramatic increase in crop yield most especially onions.

The 38-year-old is a resident of Kanunga Village, Karengeri Cell, Burega Sector, Muyanza site-Rulindo District. He is married with three children.

For many years, before the project intervention in Rulindo district, Nizeyimana like many other farmers depended on traditional subsistence agriculture for means of survival. The application of inefficient agricultural practices led to poor yields and widespread poverty and environmental degradation hence poor standards of living.

“Before LWH intervention in our area, I was living a poor life because I had no income to sustain my family. I was mixing Irish potatoes, beans, onions, maize and the yield was very low and it couldn’t even satisfy my family,” he says.

Nizeyimanasays that on one hectare, he was harvesting 1 ton of onions, but now after land treatment by LWH, he harvests between 7 and 10 tons of onions on the same area of land.

“I thank LWH for transforming my life and shaping my future. I am so happy because the project taught me better farming practices which increased my yields,” he says with a smile on his face.

Nizeyimana explains that on average he earns about Rwf280, 000 every season from onion farming.

“My family’s living condition has greatly improved; my children are in school, and now I can hope for a better future. LWH also organized us in Self Help Groups which boosted my confidence,” he says.

Muyanza site is one of the LWH project intervention sites located in the Sectors of Burega, Buyoga, Cyinzuzi, Mbogo and Tumba in Rulindo District, Northern Province.

Gatsibo irrigation scheme unlocking the potential of horticultural farming

The development of Gatsibo irrigation system in Gatsibo District, Eastern Province is major reason that is making farmers in the area focusing more on horticultural farming.

A good number of farmers are now engaged in the production of tomatoes, watermelons and onions, which has led to an increase in agricultural productivity and a significant rise in farmers’ incomes.

The development of the irrigation scheme was carried out under the Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside irrigation (LWH) Project implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

LWH was initiated in 2009 by the government of Rwanda through a basket funding from various Multi-donor organisations.

LWH is jointly funded by USAID, the World Bank, the GAFSP, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the Government of Rwanda. It aims at increasing productivity and commercialization of agriculture on the hillside of Rwanda. The primary focus is to reduce at all costs soil erosion while introducing hillside irrigation in the country.

Ernest Ntiyigena, one of the farmers decided to venture into tomato farming after realizing that, irrigation infrastructure constructed in the area would provide sufficient water for tomatoes to flourish during the dry season.

Initially, Ntiyigena, 41, married with five children, cultivates crops such as maize, beans, and potatoes. However, tomato farming has been become lucrative because the crop offers higher profit margins than maize, beans and potatoes.

In 2014, Ntiyigena decided on tomato after he discovered that their demand had gone up after traders from Kigali started frequenting the area looking for tomato produce.

“I cultivated tomatoes on 30 Ares, but due to lack of water, as a result of dry season, the yield was too little. But after the development of Gatsibo Irrigation scheme, I immediately ventured into large scale tomato farming on 2 hectares, and I have harvested 30 tonnes of tomatoes due to availability of water from the irrigation system, even during the dry season,” he explained.

With a big smile on his face, Ntiyigena said that he has bagged close to Rwf6 million from tomato sales, and he has since vowed to expand tomato farming to even 3 hectares.

Currently, there are many farmers in the area with ripe tomatoes like his, which he says has decreased the demand for tomatoes.

But even when the price falls, he will continue to grow tomatoes. “When you do a business you don’t expect profits only, and this applies to farming,” he says. “I don’t have to go looking for buyers as the traders come and buy from my garden.”
With proceeds from the tomatoes, Ntiyigena has bought several pieces of land and also plans to venture into carrots and vegetable farming in an effort to expand horticulture production in Gatsibo.

“All my children are in school, I am able to pay for them school fees, and subscribe to health insurance (Mutuelle) for my family. I thank the LWH project and the government of Rwanda for supporting farmers to improve their livelihood and incomes,” he says.

Tomatoes are among the most consumed horticultural crops in the country and offer higher profit margins than most other grain crops.

Ntiyigena like other farmers in Rucumbo Village, Nyabicwamba Cell, Gatsibo District are banking on the opportunities presented to them by Gatsibo irrigation scheme to venture into horticultural farming for improved livelihoods and incomes.

Gastibo irrigation scheme is supplied by ground water and surface water flows and is designed to irrigate 45 hectares of land under horticultural farming.

In 2014, Ntiyigena decided on tomato after he discovered that their demand had gone up after traders from Kigali started frequenting the area looking for tomato produce.

With a big smile on his face, Ntiyigena said that he has bagged close to Rwf6 million from tomato sales, and he has since vowed to expand tomato farming to even 3 hectares.

Currently, there are many farmers in the area with ripe tomatoes like his, which he says has decreased the demand for tomatoes.

Tomatoes are among the most consumed horticultural crops in the country and offer higher profit margins than most other grain crops.

Gastibo irrigation scheme is supplied by ground water and surface water flows and is designed to irrigate 45 hectares of land under horticultural farming.

From grass to grace, Minani plans to setup maize milling business

Froduare Minani a youthful 56 year-old is a shrewd farmer who plans to set up a maize milling plant in Bitega village, Murehe cell in Rwamagana district after registering an increased produce from previous harvests due new agricultural technologies.

After acquiring training on how to make his land productive courtesy of Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) project implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, he is over hills to start a maize milling business in the area that was once unproductive.

The 56 year old barely had a home and not more than Rwf1, 000 on his savings bank account because as a farmer only his means of survival and his family was cultivation which yielded less than what the family would consume.

“Basically I was living under poverty line. I had a very small house which was even in a terrible condition and it was really challenging to feed my family of seven,” says Minani.

In July 2012, LWH which focuses on increasing productivity and commercialization of hillside agriculture started its activities in Rwamagana District, nevertheless before the project could start; Minani and his fellow farmers rejected it in the area, saying that it had come to destroy their little or less agricultural produce.

“We were sensitised about the main aim of the project, but we kept a deaf ear because we couldn’t expect anything good from LWH in our area. Finally we had no choice since it was a government programme we had to accept it,” he explains.

Describing with a sparkling smile on his face, Minani says that the maize milling business is a serious business that will bring income to his family, create jobs to the community and as well reduce long distances travelled by the people in Bitega looking for maize milling machines in far away areas in Rwamagana.

The youthful 56 year-old resides in a semi-permanent house fenced with a modern gate, a house he built after selling part of his increased produce.

“I was given training on how to make composts, now I own six composts and I get money out of these schemes by selling some to my fellow farmers. I have no words to express how best agricultural practices I received have changed my life,” he stated.

Apart from maize, beans and banana farming, Minani owns a cow and seven goats that enable him to get manure to fertilize his crops.

From the maize business, he has constructed a house for his elder son and now all his children are in school because he manages to pay for them school fees.

“We used to cultivate a wide range of different crops on one land which compromised the increase of our produce. There was a huge chunk of land which was uncultivated and lying idle.”

Minani hails LWH and the government for developing them into successful farmers and they have formed strong farmer groups.

He noted that he has acquired better farming skills such as post-harvest handling, marketing, business planning, compost making and saving.

“I used to harvest 10 Kilograms of maize on one and half hectare but now I harvest five tonnes and the project has got us markets where I sell my produce. On my savings account in Sacco I have Rwf250,000 and I am planning to buy a maize milling machine because people in this area have suffered a lot travelling long distances to grind their maize.

“Since we have electricity in Murehe, it will be easy to run a maize milling machine. The price for grinding maize is not friendly at the moment because a kilogram is at Rwf60 after establishing my plant I am planning to reduce the price to Rwf40.

Minani also boasts of his healthy banana plantation where he produces bunches of bananas weighing 75 kilograms from 20 kilograms before application of better agriculture practices.

Rural development which is part of LWH core aims is about building vibrant, inclusive communities that are self-sustaining.

Minani says many farmers in Murehe now can afford bank loans, because they are in saving savings groups, however he advises farmers in rural areas to participate in workshops to learn more about sustainable agricultural practices.

Agriculture extension services improve Uwimana’s livelihood

Like many farmers in the Land Husbandry, Water Harvesting and Hillside irrigation (LWH) project intervention areas across the country, Theoneste Uwimana is looking ahead to a bright future after implementing better and sustainable agricultural practices.

The 41 year old’s life has dramatically changed within a short period of time thanks to LWH intervention in the area.

Uwimana was born and raised in Mugomero Village, Nyamiyaga cell, Kageyo sector, Gicumbi district, an area that was characterized by severe soil erosion and uncultivated area due to the nature of the landscape. He is married with two children.

For many years, before the project intervention in Gicumbi district, Uwimana like many other farmers depended on traditional subsistence agriculture for means of survival.

The application of inefficient agricultural practices led to poor yields and widespread poverty and environmental degradation hence poor standard of living.

When the project intervened in Kageyo sector, Gicumbi district, the project introduced improved farming methods along with new improved land management techniques.

LWH agricultural extension strategies focused on increasing production of crops by providing farmers with training, information, and access to balanced inputs, improved seed varieties and services.

Project extension services model enabled farmers with improved varieties of seed, fertilisers and other inputs combined with targeted subsidies in order to achieve higher yields.

“We were equipped with numerous trainings to make better use of our land. We were taught how to make quality composts which has been a lucrative business and we have generated increased incomes from composts,” says Uwimana.

“I made composts worth Rwf4, 800,000 which enabled me to pay tuition fees because I was still a student at a university of Ipebe Gicumbi doing rural development.”

He explains the use improved seed varieties and application of fertiliser inputs in his field. His crop yields significantly increased and the income got from the increased yields supported him towards achieving a bachelor’s degree in rural development.

He explained that after implementing agriculture extension models, he cultivated maize on 2 ha and harvested 4 tonnes of maize which put a very a big smile on his face after so many years of harvesting 500 kgs.

He sold part of the produce worth Rwf800, 000 and used the money to buy six pigs and 15 chicken. The remaining money was banked on his account in a Sacco.

From scratches to tree tomato project, Indangamirwa looks to prosperity

In the lush highlands of Gicumbi district, the farmers of Indangamirwa Self-Help Group (SHG) have planted the seeds that could hold the key to a better future.

Indangamirwa located in Kagwa village, Kageyo sector, Gicumbi district was formed in 2014 shortly after LWH implementation of comprehensive land husbandry technologies to reduce soil erosion and sustain cultivation and productivity on steep slopes.

The group made up of 20 members, nine of them women, cultivates on 4 hectares of land and their future looks certain as crop production has dramatically increased within a short period of time.

“Before the intervention of Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) project in our area, we didn’t know anything about forming self help groups or associations because each farmer depended on his or her own means of survival,” says Claudine Musabyimana, president of Indangamirwa.

She explains that members of her group never knew the importance of belonging to a SHG and those who tried to form one, it collapsed within two weeks.

“The life of each member was very challenging because the production was little, agricultural practices were poor and the land was poorly managed hence soil erosion in the area. The little yield harvested was only for home consumption and it didn’t even last for a month. We were very poor before LWH intervention in Kageyo sector,” Musabyimana narrates.

She further says when the project started in Kageyo Sector; farmers first shunned it thinking that the project will make their life worse since it recommended cultivation of one crop on a consolidated land.

“We were used to growing a wide range of crops on one garden for example sorghum, maize, Irish potatoes, beans, sweet potatoes and peas and the yield was very small. For instance on 20 Ares of land, one would harvest 10 kilograms of beans which didn’t even satisfy the whole family.”

A glance look at Indagamirwa SHG enthusiasm to achieve prosperity for every member, the organisation has been successful, as it has proved to be effective and boosted the confidence of the farmers who are able to look forward for a brighter future.

The group which meets once every week deliberates social and economic issues that affect their lives such as hygiene, nutrition, income savings, compost making, offering assistance to the most needy members, better and sustainable agricultural practices among others.

Belonging to SHG has laid the groundwork for a thriving, sustainable development that can help farming families lift themselves out of poverty.

During the meeting, there is a great participatory process whereby farmers share ideas and experiences on how to enhance and sustain their livelihoods. For instance at the one of the meetings the group settled a dispute between a husband and wife who were at the verge of divorcing due to domestic quarrels.

“The LWH project has taught us better and sustainable farming methods whereby our land has been terraced and soil erosion which was menace to our farming activities has been significantly controlled. We have been taught how to make composts and fertilise our crop fields,” says the group president.

She noted that Indagamirwa cultivated on 4 ha and harvested 14 tonnes of bush beans during the seasonA 2015, whereby each hectare yielded 3.5 tonnes, an indication that the group farming activities have greatly improved.

“We market and sell our yields collectively and improve the bargaining power of each member. Being in SHG has dramatically improved our standards of living.”

Following the increased crop produce, Indagamirwa came up with an idea of starting tree tomato project in order to fulfill economic and financial needs of the members. Farmers recognize that tree tomato can bring newfound prosperity to their community.

“We can see that it will be a very good source of income for us,” said Musabyimana. “It will help us cater for our family needs. It is something that will raise our standard of living.”

The group also has made compost heaps and planning to get money after selling the organic manure. They have also started beans business whereby they buy at a low price and sell at a higher price when there‘s huge demand for beans in the area.

Indagamirwa has constructed kitchen gardens in order to fight malnutrition among members and the children. Life in their homes has greatly changed for the better.

The association looks forward to increase their productivity and create new market opportunities for their business.

Increased crop produce laid a foundation for Bihoyiki’s success

On entering Bihoyiki’s farm, one is immediately struck by how well-organised. Everything seems to be just where it should be in the small space. A safely secured pigsty with pedigree animals welcomes you into the farm.

Joseph Bihoyiki was born and raised in Gasherwe Village, Gacurabwenge Cell, Byumba Sector, Gicumbi District in an area that was characterised by poor agricultural practices, poor land management, high poverty levels and severe soil erosion.

In 2013, the 49 year old Bihoyiki, participated in the land husbandry works following the intervention of Land Husbandry Water Harvesting and Hillside Irrigation (LWH) project in his area, and like many other farmers in the area never liked the idea of consolidating land as required by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources through LWH.

He never thought of a better life since he has been languishing in poverty for the past many years, but he has now become a model farmer in Gicumbi as a result of LWH land husbandry technologies.

LWH aims at increasing productivity and commercialisation on the hillsides. The primary focus is to reduce soil erosion while introducing hillside irrigation in the country.

“When the project started land husbandry works in our area, I participated in terracing works and I was paid for the work done. The money I got helped me a lot towards paying health insurance (Mutuelle de santé) for my family and as well as school fees for my children. I also bought fertilisers from the earnings I got from terracing works,” said Bihoyiki.

“Before the intervention of LWH in Byumba sector and implementing its better and sustainable agriculture practices, I used to cultivate a wide range of crops on one farm which led to low yields. I mixed beans, Irish Potatoes, Cassava, Maize, Wheat and Sweet potatoes on one garden.”

The shrewd farmer says that he never believed in the benefits accruing from land consolidation and cultivation of one crop, until he harvested 600 kilograms of beans on 30 Ares, unlike before when he used to harvest 120 kilograms on the same land.

He was also taught how to make composts, a business entity that earned him substantial amounts of money that enabled him to start poultry farming and piggery.

Like most successful people, Bihoyiki did not start right off as a poultry farmer. He was once a filling station attendant in one of Kigali’s petrol stations. However, even as a filling station attendant, his hobby reflected a strong inner passion that thrived in him; keeping chicken and piggery.

“I thank the government of Rwanda LWH for transforming my life and shaping my future. I had no hope of starting any business because I had no capital. Now I own a piggery that consists of 20 pigs and poultry farm of 150 chicken. This is like a dream come true,” he noted.

“The project taught us how to manage our savings and form Self Help Groups (SHGs). I have two bank accounts one in Bank Populaire and another Byumba Sacco. I have to make sure that I save some money after selling my produce.”

Soft spoken Bihoyiki asserts that had it not been the intervention of LWH project in his area he could have been now in Kigali looking for casual and odd jobs. He has two fresian cows that each cost him Rwf400, 000 and Rwf300, 000 respectively

The 49 year old who looks after a family of nine says that belonging to a SHG has helped him a lot in terms of social and economic wellbeing. He belongs to Icyerekezo Self Help Group.

“The group has opened our eyes and minds through sharing ideas and best practices among ourselves in the association. We also support each other in terms of material and emotional needs,” he stated.

He has achieved wealth through farming. “My best achievement is saving on food”. I do not buy any food. Bihoyiki has also acquired farming knowledge and he is spreading it to other farmers.

He is looking forward to be a successful farmer in Rwanda and he wants all his children to attain a university education.

Nzabamwita earns huge income from Chili pepper farming

“I thank LWH for providing us with irrigation scheme which has enabled me to cultivate chili pepper. I believed in my dream and nothing would stop me now since I am able to cultivate chili all seasons. I get bumper production of Chili because I used balanced fertilizers in my chili field. I am so happy because the project taught me better farming practices which increased my yields. I was cultivating other crops, but due to huge market demand for chili pepper coupled with availability of water to irrigate the crop, I opted for chili farming,” says Jean Baptiste Nzabamwita, 53, LWH beneficiary.

“I cultivate chili hot pepper on 45 Ares, and harvest 1 ton, however on I hectare, I harvest 7 tons of green chili pepper. Within a period of four months, I generate Rwf1.7 million from Chili sales. My family’s living condition has greatly improved, my children are in school and now I can hope for a better future.”

Despite the humble beginnings, Nzabamwita says he embarked on the chili farming business after LWH intervention in his area, gradually increasing his exports, making profits while exploring other markets like India. Three years down the lane, he looks back with pride and says he has managed to construct residential house worth Rwf6 million.

He is a resident of Karusimbi Village, Gishike Cell, Rwabicuma Sector, Nyanza District. He is married with four children.

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