Back ground of the project
Agriculture is the backbone of the Rwandan economy, contributing about 39% of the GDP and sustaining most of its rural population. Rwanda is vulnerable to climate change as it relies strongly on rain-fed agriculture. those at the greatest risk of climate change impacts are the food insecure and otherwise highly vulnerable (e.g. disease burdened) groups. Areas where access to food is most problematic include the Eastern Curve, Bugesera, Southern Plateau and Lake Shore areas where over 45% of the households have reduced access to food.
Bugesera District is located in the densely populated low lands of the Eastern region, and greatly affected by long periods of drought which tend to become cyclical and persistent. Despite the many water bodies in the region, composed of lakes and rivers, Bugesera has suffered long dry spells with adverse impacts on livelihoods and welfare of the populace. Drought, combined with overgrazing and poor cultivation practices, has led to deterioration in pasture and arable land to the point where many have been abandoned.
This project as entitled “Improving the livelihood of the smallholder farmers through promoting the climate resilient agriculture in Bugesera District” is aligned with SGP OP6 strategic initiatives No 1, stipulating on innovative climate-smart agro-ecology; Community landscape/seascape conservation. It further responds to the aim of Sustainable land management in production systems basically the agriculture.
This project targets at improving the livelihood of the smallholder farmers through modernizing the agriculture and promote market orientated agriculture. This is aligned to the Vision 2020, EDPRSII of 2013 and PSTA III. The fact that the project promotes the use of renewable energy for pumped irrigation fulfills the conditions as stated in Environment and Climate Change sub-sector plan (2013 – 2018), Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy and Five years strategic plan for the Environment and Natural Resources Sector – 2014 – 2018.
On the other hand, this project responds to the guidelines of NELSAP by encouraging the adoption of the most irrigation water use efficiency. The agroforestry promotion in Bugesera responds to the international UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
Long-term training, raising awareness and capacity building by the various stakeholders to the farmers’ cooperative, which define the outcomes of this project, justify its sustainability essence.
APEFA has mobilized funds to United Nations Development program (UNDP), Global Environment Facility (GEF)/Small Grant Program for a two years project aiming at improving the livelihood of the smallholder farmers through promoting the climate resilient measures in Bugesera District (Ngeruka sector). The project will be implemented on 34 Ha and support more than 380 smallholder farmers grouped into 4 cooperatives (KOANGER, KOJYAMUNGE, KOTEMUNGE and KOPABINGE) located in Ngeruka Sector, Bugesera District
Budget for the project
This project has a total budget of 21,408,000 Rwandan Francs, for both in-kind and cash, while seeking for the remaining funds estimated to Rwf 21,200,509 Rwandan Francs from GEP-SGP.
Partners
United Nations Development program, (UNDP)Global Environment Facility GEF/Small Grant Program.
Timeline of the project: This project is on-going it will be implemented in 18 months of 2018 and 2019.
Coverage
This project will cover Bugesera District (Ngeruka sector). The project will be implemented on 34 Ha and support more than 380 smallholder farmers grouped into 4 cooperatives (KOANGER, KOJYAMUNGE, KOTEMUNGE and KOPABINGE) located in Ngeruka Sector, Bugesera District.
Achievements/Objective What does the project intend to accomplish
to strengthen resilience and address green growth for sustainable livelihoods through increasing fruit tree cover using green, and low carbon technologies, and inspire smallholder farmers to promote a market-oriented climate resilient agriculture practice. in
Main Activities
- Increase the awareness and capacity on drought mitigation and adaptation and on compost making and use for improved soil fertility, measures for the vulnerable smallholder farmers;
- Install 2 water harvesting dams and install 4 solar pumps for green irrigation technologies
- capacity building in the postharvest handling process, storage and value chain
Challenges and Recommendation
The main challenge is the Contested claims on buffer zone protection: The people continuously cultivate in buffer zone because there is no enough water harvesting as well as lack of sufficient irrigation system.
The recommendation is the Production and planting of agroforestry Production and planting of fruits trees; Construction of kitchen gardens in cooperative members purchase and install the solar powered irrigation systems Install water harvesting structure (4 pounds).
Expected project outcome
The overall Outcomes of the project is to jointly support selected 4 farmers’cooperative in Bugesera district, Ngeruka sector to raise their income by adopting the climate resilient agriculture.
Contact Person: TWAGIRAYESU Eric
Tittle: Project Coordinator
Contact details: Telephone: +250788276046
E-mail: erictwagirayesu30@gmail.com/eric.t@apefarwanda.org