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Supported by the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), through UNDP, APEFA is executing the project titled, “Build and strengthen livelihoods of vulnerable communities in Bugesera district through climate resilient practices and technologies”, to strengthen the two agriculture cooperatives operating in Ngeruka Sector, Bugersera District.

This project started on 01 April 2022, in Bugesera district at Ngeruka Sector, where the drought-prone region of the country which tends to become cyclical and persistent with annual average precipitation varying from 400-600 mm.

The drought combined with overgrazing, poor cultivation practices use of non-improved seeds varieties and lack of agricultural inputs as well as the limited capabilities of the farmers to adopt the climate change mitigation and adaptation mechanisms are the most challenges countered in Bugesera District especially Ngeruka sector.

On 8th November 2022, APEFA’s team; conducted a field visit to assess the implementation of project activities under “Build and strengthen livelihoods of vulnerable communities in Bugesera district through climate resilient practices and technologies”.

Eric Sibomana, APEFA’s Technical Program Manager, talking to the beneficiaries

The team visit activities already undertaken in that project like; operation of small-scale irrigation solar pumping system, fruit trees nursery, water harvesting tanks, kitchen gardens and cooking stoves distributed to the some of beneficiaries of the project intervention area. The team appreciate the achievement related to that project in general.

Some of the following activities have been assessed with the team and observed that some are successfully implemented according to the specification.

During the project implementation the following activities have been take place with good result:

A. TRAINING ON CLIMATE-SMART AGRO ECOLOGICAL PRACTICES (TOT)

Training of Trainers of cooperative representative

This training was done to build the capacity of communities through Training of Trainers of cooperative representative (20 female and 20 male) selected in 109 members in key concept and principles of managing natural resources, proper farming reducing chemical products, seeds selection, and soil conservation practices while increasing agricultural productivity.

B. PRACTICAL TRAINING/ HANDS-ON ON TREE NURSERY PREPARATION (FRUITS)

This practical training was conducted in order to promote Agro-forestry practices (Fruits) among farmers to enhance environment protection, improve the soil fertility, protect and restore the biodiversity, improving livelihood and food security of communities basing on green economy and ecological merits of such practices.

Fruits trees nursery

Through this practical training on Fruits trees nursery preparation; 50 cooperatives members have been trained on all process to be followed for production of Agroforestry and fruits trees seedling under trees nursery establishment whereby more than 3000 fruits seedlings (avocados and mangoes), are being raised (Sown, grafted and there being maintained into trees nursery established within project intervention area and it will continue to serve as training material as well as baseline benefits of cooperatives.

Avocado trees ready to be grafted

C. PURCHASE AND INSTALL 30 RAINWATER HARVESTING TANKS

During the implementation of the project the rainwater harvesting tanks within capacities of 3 m3 each have been supplied and installed for 30 beneficiaries to acquire home rainwater harvesting system to be used during the dry season for irrigating home Kitchen Garden and received fruit surrounding their home to facilitate the beneficiaries in climate resilient.

ONE OF THE RAINWATER HARVESTING TANK DONATED BY APEFA/RGB TO BENEFECIARIES FOR DOMESTIC USE

D. PURCHASE AND INSTALL 1 SOLAR POWERED IRRIGATION PUMP

Eric Sibomana, Technical Program Manager, Mukabadege Immaculee (beneficiary), and Diane TUYISENGE, Livelihood expert at solar powered irrigation pump

This part of the project activities was implemented with Hillside irrigation improved and greened through the installation of 1 additional solar powered pump with a capacity to irrigate 2 ha with less labor forces, no cost of fuel, no CO2 emissions and very low maintenance and repair costs and it has the following advantage:

  • Enlightened livelihood of smallholder farmers through the development and scale-up of smart climate resilient agriculture.
  • Provided clean alternative to fossil fuels and enabled development of low-carbon irrigated agriculture
  • Reduced energy costs for small scale irrigation.
  • Women have gain advantage of using the easiest system helping to improve the access to irrigation water that together with other farmers, they can have knock-on effects on agricultural productivity and incomes.
  • Solar will no longer be a problem to farmer especially in dry season as it will be the best inexhaustible and free source of energy to reach green agriculture production.
SOLAR POWERED IRRIGATION PUMP

Ngeruka Sector, as the most affected by the climate change especially with water scarcity in the agriculture activities of drought season, through the project ownership, mobilization involving local authorities, the cooperative members and strong implication with active participation of women and youth will give an ideal opportunity for the project success.

MORE PHOTOS

Eric Sibomana, APEFA’s Technical Program Manager
APEFA’s team: Diane TUYISENGE, Livelihood expert and Gilbert UMUNYURWA, Irrigation Engineer
Dam sheet used for irrigation
Mukabadege Immaculee practicing the irrigation
Eric Sibomana, APEFA’s Technical Program Manager using irrigation system