By Seif Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali,Rwanda,
For Biregeya Jean Paul, irrigation is no longer simply about getting enough water to his crops. It has become a way of increasing what his farm produces and what he earns from it.
The farmer from Mimuri Sector in Nyagatare District says access to irrigation equipment through the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP II) has changed the results he gets from farming.
Before receiving the equipment, Jean Paul relied on a watering can to irrigate his crops. The work was demanding and time-consuming, while the prolonged sunshine in Nyagatare made farming more difficult. His soils also require frequent watering.
Jean Paul says his maize production has increased from about 6 tonnes to around 8 tonnes.
His tomato revenue has also doubled, rising from about RWF 1.5 million to around RWF 3 million.
“Before, irrigating my crops was very difficult because I depended on a watering can. Our area experiences a lot of sunshine, which made farming challenging. For example, before receiving this equipment, I harvested about 6 tonnes of maize, but I am now able to reach around 8 tonnes. With tomatoes, I previously generated about RWF 1.5 million in revenue, but now, because I no longer face the same challenges caused by water shortages, I can generate around RWF 3 million.”
His experience illustrates how irrigation can change the role of a small farm from simply producing crops to producing more and generating greater income.
When irrigation becomes an economic opportunity
For farmers with small and medium-sized plots, access to irrigation can create opportunities to cultivate during different seasons of the year.
SAIP supports farmers cultivating land ranging from 0.5 to 10 hectares to access Small-Scale Irrigation Technologies (SSIT).
Depending on the farmer’s location, land size and preferred technology, the systems can include solar-powered irrigation systems and diesel-powered pumps.
The objective is not only to provide farmers with water for their crops. Access to irrigation can help them produce throughout the year, increase productivity, improve household incomes, access markets and strengthen resilience to climate change and unpredictable rainfall.
For Jean Paul, the increased production and income demonstrate the potential of this approach.
His experience also shows how the benefits of irrigation can extend beyond the individual farmer.
“The people you see who are not farming do not necessarily lack the desire to farm. Many simply lack the support they need for irrigation. Today, I even help my neighbours irrigate their crops.”
Jean Paul says he continues encouraging farmers who have not yet accessed irrigation equipment to register for the programme so that they can farm throughout the year.
Making the investment possible for farmers
One of the barriers to adopting irrigation technology can be the cost of equipment.
Innocent Nzabamwita, Irrigation Engineer Specialist at RAB-SPIU, says the Government has introduced subsidies to remove one of the biggest barriers preventing farmers from investing in irrigation equipment.
“Government subsidies for small-scale irrigation equipment are available to farmers cultivating between 0.5 and 10 hectares. The farmer contributes 50 percent of the cost of the equipment, while the Government pays the remaining 50 percent,” he explains.
He says farmers who choose environmentally friendly solar-powered irrigation systems receive even greater support.
“For farmers cultivating between five and ten hectares who install solar-powered irrigation systems, the farmer contributes only 25 percent while the Government subsidizes the remaining 75 percent.”
Nzabamwita says the programme has received strong demand, especially in Eastern Province, where long dry seasons make irrigation essential for crop production.
“We continue to see more farmers applying because they can clearly see the benefits from those who already received irrigation equipment. Farmers are increasing production, earning more income and becoming less dependent on rainfall.”
The support reduces the financial burden on farmers seeking to invest in irrigation equipment and makes it possible for them to participate in the programme while contributing part of the cost themselves.
From individual production to collective action
SAIP II is also using farmer groups and cooperatives as part of its approach to extending irrigation support.
Farmers seeking to benefit generally need to have agricultural land located close to a reliable water source. They must also be willing and able to contribute their required share of the equipment cost and participate through farmer groups or cooperatives.
The focus on collective action means irrigation technologies and related benefits can reach more farmers at once.
It also encourages farmers to work together in production and marketing.
This makes irrigation part of a broader agricultural shift in which increased production can be connected to household income and access to markets.
An expanding irrigation footprint
The approach builds on the achievements of the first phase of SAIP.
SAIP I introduced small-scale irrigation interventions in nine districts and brought more than 1,367 hectares under irrigation.
SAIP II currently operates in 20 districts and has already facilitated irrigation across approximately 1,200 hectares, exceeding its initial target of 1,000 hectares.
Together, the two phases have reached 3,369 beneficiaries, including 1,916 men and 1,453 women.
The project is implemented under the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), with a focus on agricultural productivity, market access and food security among targeted beneficiaries.
Why market access matters
Irrigation can help farmers produce enough for their households while also generating surplus for the market.
By allowing farmers to cultivate during different seasons, it can help them plan production more effectively, increase cropping intensity and supply markets more consistently.
For a farmer like Jean Paul, the change can already be seen in the relationship between irrigation, production and income: more maize harvested and more revenue generated from tomatoes.
The intervention therefore goes beyond simply solving a water shortage. It connects access to irrigation with the ability to produce more, earn more and participate more effectively in agricultural markets.
Rwanda’s broader agricultural ambitions also place emphasis on expanding irrigation.
Under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), covering 2024–2029, Rwanda aims to achieve annual agricultural growth of more than 6% and expand irrigated agricultural land from 74,375 hectares to 132,171 hectares.
