APEFA, with the generous support of TerraFund for AFR100, is pleased to share the progress of the Rusizi Riverbank and Watershed Restoration Project. This flagship initiative aims to restore 350 hectares of degraded land and protect 17.5 kilometers of riverbanks by 2029 through sustainable land management and strong community involvement. Between July and December 2024, the project continued delivering impressive environmental and socio-economic results, improving both ecosystems and livelihoods across the Rusizi River Basin.
Riverbank Protection
The project has made significant strides in protecting the Rusizi Riverbank, with the successful planting of 17,258 trees—far exceeding the original target of 12,900. These include 7,448 bamboo trees, 7,648 native species, and 2,162 fruit trees. This achievement highlights our commitment to sustainable riverbank protection using nature-based solutions that reduce erosion, restore biodiversity, and enhance climate resilience.
Watershed Restoration
- Fruit systems in the watershed restoration
In the area of watershed protection, we covered 140 hectares of farmland with 31,079 fruit trees. Among these, 20,720 were grafted avocado trees, and 10,359 were grafted mango trees. These efforts contribute directly to improving soil health, increasing water retention, and enhancing agricultural productivity for local farmers. The integration of fruit trees into farmland not only supports environmental goals but also provides long-term economic benefits.
ii. Agroforestry Systems
To promote sustainable land use and support biodiversity, the project established agroforestry systems across 210 hectares. A total of 59,780 trees were planted, including 48,256 Grevillea and 11,073 Markhamia lutea. These trees play a critical role in improving soil fertility, providing shade and windbreaks, and creating a more diversified and climate-resilient landscape for the communities in the watershed area.
Job Creation and Community Empowerment
The project has created meaningful employment opportunities, with 398 individuals hired for restoration activities. Of these, 213 are women, representing 53% of the workforce, while 185 are men, making up 46.5%. This gender-balanced approach has positively impacted household incomes and promoted women’s empowerment. In addition, 996 farmers have been engaged through 21 farmer groups, ensuring broad community participation and ownership of restoration efforts.
Tree Maintenance and Sustainability
To ensure the sustainability of the restoration work, continuous maintenance has been carried out on the planted trees. This includes the upkeep of trees along 17.5 km of riverbanks, 140 hectares of fruit trees on farmland, and 210 hectares of agroforestry trees. These efforts are essential for maximizing survival rates and ensuring long-term ecological and economic benefits for the communities involved.
Community Engagement and Local Priorities
The project has been carefully aligned with local community needs and priorities. It directly addresses key issues such as soil erosion, water management, sustainable agriculture, and income generation. Our participatory approach has ensured that local communities are involved in planning, decision-making, and implementation, which enhances local ownership and increases the chances of long-term success.
Challenges and Adaptive Strategies
While the project has seen many successes, it has also encountered challenges, particularly with some grafted fruit trees failing to reach maturity or dying after grafting. In response, we have implemented adaptive measures such as surplus seedling production and beating-up planting to fill gaps. These lessons have been instrumental in refining our approach to ensure higher efficiency and better outcomes in future planting cycles.
Monitoring and Tree Survival Rates
Monitoring the survival rate of planted trees has been a critical aspect of the project. Our assessment in April 2024 revealed varied survival rates across different species, ranging from 51% to 99%. These insights help improve nursery management practices and allow us to focus on cultivating more resilient species, ensuring that future restoration activities yield stronger and more sustainable results.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, the project will continue its momentum by producing 63,421 fruit seedlings for planting across 140 hectares. Maintenance efforts will also continue along the 17.5 km of riverbanks and within the 350 hectares of agroforestry and fruit tree plantations. Community training and capacity building will remain central to our strategy, reinforcing local knowledge, stewardship, and long-term resilience.
Conclusion
The Rusizi Riverbank and Watershed Restoration Project is a shining example of how ecosystem restoration can go hand-in-hand with socio-economic development. By restoring landscapes, protecting water sources, and empowering communities—especially women and youth—APEFA is creating a model of sustainable development rooted in nature-based solutions and inclusive growth.
Together, we are planting hope, restoring land, and transforming lives.
