By Seif Shaggy Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali, Rwanda,
In Gakenke District, pineapple farming is increasingly becoming a key driver of household income and economic improvement, with farmers reporting significant changes in their living conditions as production continues to expand across the region.
Members of the Cooperative des Agriculteurs des Fruits de Gakenke (COAFGA) say pineapple cultivation has enabled them to achieve major milestones in their lives, including building better homes, purchasing livestock, and meeting basic family needs.
Juvenal Murindangabo, a member of this cooperative based in Nganji Cell, Gakenke Sector, said pineapple farming has played a central role in transforming his livelihood.
“We are 97 members farming pineapples on four hectares of land. Pineapple farming has helped me buy a cow using the income generated from the crop. The pineapples grow very well here, and we harvest twice a month, producing at least six tonnes every month,” he said.
Murindangabo added that the income has significantly improved his family’s welfare, enabling him to build a modern iron-sheet-roofed house worth more than Rwf5 million.
Despite these gains, he noted that farmers continue to face market-related challenges, particularly due to brokers who buy directly from fields at low prices.
“We still face market challenges because brokers come to buy from us in the fields and often offer low prices,” he said.
Another cooperative member, Epifanie Uzamukunda, said pineapple farming has strengthened her financial stability and kept her household welfare from deteriorating.
“The income from pineapples helps us develop economically because when the harvest is ready, we earn money that supports our daily lives,” she said.
Uzamukunda explained that proceeds from pineapple sales enabled her to buy a pig for Rwf40,000 two years ago, which now reproduces twice a year, providing an additional source of income. She added that pineapple income also helps her pay community-based health insurance premiums (Mutuelle de Santé), cover school fees for her children, and improve nutrition at home.
According to local authorities, such stories are becoming common across Gakenke District, where pineapple farming has emerged as one of the most important cash crops.
Kanyetaliki Evariste, Gakenke District Cash Crop Officer, said pineapple cultivation is widely embraced due to its strong economic returns.
“Pineapple is one of the major income-generating crops in Gakenke. The crop is grown on about 1,250 hectares, producing approximately 1,260 tonnes per season,” he said.
He added that depending on market conditions, a pineapple can sell for around Rwf500, while a kilogram may fetch between Rwf500 and Rwf800, generating substantial income for farmers.
Evariste further noted that pineapple farming contributes significantly to poverty reduction by enabling households to meet daily needs and improve their living standards.
The crop is currently grown in eight of Gakenke District’s 19 sectors, making it one of the district’s key agricultural commodities.
Gakenke District Mayor Vestine Mukandayisenga said pineapple farming has strong market potential, although production volumes are still insufficient to meet demand from large buyers.
“In fact, Inyange needed more pineapples than we could supply. That is why we continue encouraging farmers to expand production because the market exists and demand remains high,” she said.
The mayor encouraged farmers to avoid selling to middlemen and instead use available collection centers and formal markets. She noted that several marketplaces have been established along major roads, and a new market in Rwamenyo has been developed with support from partners.
Mukandayisenga also highlighted past efforts to link farmers with Inyange Industries, noting that production levels were not yet sufficient to meet industrial demand.
She added that the district, in collaboration with the Rwanda Transport Development Agency (RTDA), has provided Lifan vehicles to cooperatives, including COAFGA, to improve the transportation of agricultural produce to markets.
As pineapple production continues to expand in Gakenke District, local leaders believe the crop will play an increasingly important role in boosting household incomes, improving livelihoods, and advancing poverty reduction across the region.
