In Rwinkwavu Sector, Nkondo Cell, Kayonza District—an area formerly known for droughts and famine caused by prolonged dry seasons—there is now a story of transformation driven by the KIIWP project. This project is implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
Hafashimana Claude, an agricultural extension agent in the area, explains that farmers previously grew varieties such as Ndabazi and Maguruyinkware, which yielded poorly and were susceptible to Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) and pests. He notes: “The Ndabazi and Maguruyinkware seeds are commonly grown across the country but are no longer productive, as they did not exceed 2,500 kilograms per hectare.”
Hafashimana further explains that after receiving training from the second phase of KIIWP, they began planting new varieties including Buryohe, Nsizebashonje, NAM130, Mariya, and Pwani. These varieties can yield between 10 and 15 tons per hectare. He adds: “The Maguruyinkware and Ndabazi cassava varieties are still with some traditional farmers, but they are no longer useful; some have even cut them down because they were affected by CBSD.”
A group of thirty-six farmers led by Hafashimana Claude is continuing a trial to see if the Buryohe variety can yield 80 kilograms per tree, as explained to them by RAB experts.
One of the trained farmers, Priscilla Mukangelina, says the visible changes in their field provide hope: “Our small plot of Buryohe cassava is lush and the stalks are thicker than anywhere else we are conducting trials, which makes us confident that we will reach the yield of 80 kilograms per tree.”
Mukangelina explains that they use a planting method involving pits 60 centimeters deep, filled with dry grass and manure, and covered with soil before planting the cuttings. She says: “The advantage of this method is that the cassava has a better chance of retaining moisture when rainfall is scarce, allowing for high yields on small plots of land.”
Rudacogora Jean de Dieu, in charge of investment and market linkages at KIIWP, states that the farmers were trained to farm for business: “In the training we provided, we taught them agribusiness and we are currently linking them with SACCOs so they can access the capital needed to develop their production.”
KIIWP2 is a project jointly implemented by the Government of Rwanda in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), and implemented under the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
