Expansion: A farmer is overjoyed to have some piglets added to her farming group assets
Farming groups established and given special livelihoods training and implements
The integrated Food Security and Livelihoods programme in Rwanda is reaping rewards. Just over a year into starting with various projects, almost 500 participants – the majority of whom are women – have been trained in climate-smart agricultural techniques, while others have launched small businesses or developed new, employable skills.
The programme’s main objective was to assist extremely vulnerable households in the Muhanga district through training and upskilling.
The people in this area are highly dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods – but these resources have come under threat through unsustainable use and climate change. ForAfrika, therefore, decided to improve the capacity of households to manage and withstand such shocks by teaching climate-smart farming and basic business techniques.
Implements and skills
With funds raised by our German affiliate office, enough land was rented to support 20 farming groups establish communal plots where they could learn and try out the new methods taught.
Additionally, the groups were provided with seedlings and fertilizer and were able to cultivate banana, cassava, beans, and other vegetables. The farmers were also given pigs to promote livestock rearing as an alternative livelihood.
The Jijukamwana farming group, which received four of the pigs, were thrilled when some of their sows had piglets.
“We started with four pigs, and now we have ten!” said one excited farmer, adding that more piglets were still expected. The group has already noted the potential this adds to their co-operative and their income.
“As their pig family grows, so do their hopes for a better life,” says Rwanda Programme Manager Alemshet Teshale.
Similarly, the Turengerubuzima group started growing bananas in October 2023 and, even though they still have to wait a few more weeks for their harvest, they too are excited.
Communal benefits
“We’re learning and growing together,” says one member. “These bananas will help feed our families and earn us money.” The group also saves money together which will help them plan for expansion in the future.
“The groups’ stories show how just a small amount of support can grow into something big,” says Alemshet “Their farms are getting bigger, and their future is looking brighter. This is just the beginning of their success story. “I’d like to add that the successful implementation of the project was facilitated by strong partnerships and collaboration with various stakeholders at different levels. These partnerships were crucial in leveraging resources, expertise, and local knowledge to effectively select the target communities and make the projects a reality.”
