By Seif Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali,Rwanda,
Rwanda — Farmers in Bugesera and Nyanza districts report that the SAIP II project has helped reduce the labor and challenges they faced when irrigating crops using traditional methods, while providing easier access to essential irrigation equipment.
The Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food security Project (SAIP)is funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) Through the World bank. The implemented under The Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Board ( RAB) Through its Single Project Implementation Unit ( RAB-SPIU).
SAIP II has benefited 3,369 people, including 1,916 men and 1,453 women.
In Ruhuha Sector, Bugesera District, Laurent Hakizamungu, an onion and macadamia farmer cultivating five hectares, shared that before receiving irrigation equipment, he used a standard motor pump, but water could not reach all parts of his farm.
He stated: “When I obtained modern irrigation methods, I expanded my farming. Now I am seeing true productivity. Previously, I started with 5 tons and increased it to 10 tons using motor-based irrigation, but now yields have risen significantly, sometimes reaching 15 to 20 tons.”
Hakizamungu says that the irrigation equipment he acquired through SAIP II enabled him to farm using fewer workers compared to before.
He notes that he previously employed between 50 and 60 workers, whereas he now employs about 15.
He stated: “Before, we had motor pumps and hoses that we used for irrigation, and we had to buy petrol and hire workers to operate them, which cost us a lot of money. In areas where hoses couldn’t reach, we even had to fetch water using jerrycans. Now, we use solar-powered water systems.”
He explains that worker wages and fuel expenses have decreased. Where he used to spend nearly 5 million RWF, he now spends only around 2 million RWF while cultivating the same land area.
He stated: “Now we have water for irrigation using taps connected to hoses, with some workers weeding while others irrigate the fields. This incurs much lower costs compared to before.”
Hakizamungu states that he joined the SAIP II beneficiary program after high-performing local farmers were invited to the sector office.
He stated: “I was among those invited as beneficiaries of this project. They registered me, and ultimately I was provided with solar panels, a water storage dam, and a lifting pump.”
The irrigation project implemented by Hakizamungu was valued at 40 million RWF, of which he contributed 10 million RWF out of pocket.
In Nyanza District, Irrigation Reduced Labor in Avocado Farming
In Mwima Village, Rwesero Cell, Busasamana Sector in Nyanza District, Landori Mugwaneza, an agronomist overseeing avocado farming for investor Karaveri Kayihura, states that the irrigation method helped workers distribute water to avocado trees with ease.
They farm on 7.5 hectares, where 2,600 avocado trees were planted in stages. The first phase of 800 trees has already started yielding output.
Mugwaneza says that the second harvest from these 800 trees has reached 4 tons.
He stated: “The output we have started seeing from those 800 trees is now the second harvest, amounting to 4 tons per year. Initially, it was difficult for us before receiving SAIP II support, but the project has provided us with irrigation equipment.”
He explains that some young trees previously dried up due to inadequate watering, as water could not reach every tree. After receiving SAIP II support, workers were able to irrigate all trees in a single day.
He stated: “We had young trees that dried up because they were not watered properly, making it impossible for water to reach all trees. But now, after getting SAIP II support for irrigation, we found an easier way, and workers can irrigate all trees in one day.”
Mugwaneza notes that they started by selling 600 kg of avocados, but output later increased to 4 tons.
He stated: “We supply to various markets, including Garden Fresh, which helped us deliver 2 tons, while we supply the other 2 tons to our own retail stores in different locations. Previously, one of the factors preventing output growth was the lack of water.”
The New Irrigation System Reduced the Burden
Mugwaneza explains that they previously used jerrycans to irrigate trees, watering tree by tree, but the water was insufficient to adequately supply each tree.
He stated: “Before, we used jerrycans for irrigation, going tree by tree, and because the water was limited, we couldn’t apply enough per tree. Furthermore, it was difficult to find enough workers to carry water for 2,600 trees. Sometimes a tree could go a week without receiving water.”
He says that SAIP II helped them bring water to their farm using hoses, allowing a small workforce to cover the entire area.
He stated: “Now that we have received SAIP II support, it has become easy. A hose can reach anywhere within 50 meters across the entire farm. Furthermore, it enabled us to use a smaller workforce of about 5 people who can move across these 7.5 hectares, ensuring every plant receives enough water.”
Hakizamungu emphasizes that water is vital for plants to absorb fertilizer properly and yield well.
He stated: “The primary food for plants requires water to absorb sufficient fertilizer; without it, crop weight remains low and nutrients cannot be absorbed. Therefore, an unwatered avocado tree may dry out on the branch because it cannot grow. Water is essential for plants, helping fertilizer penetrate the soil properly to achieve the desired output.”
In this farming operation, Mugwaneza notes that they employ 5 permanent workers and 26 casual laborers, including those who irrigate and harvest avocados.
He adds that during the dry season, workers increase to between 80 and 100, depending on the avocado harvesting period.
SAIP II provided them with 49,829,962 RWF, representing 75% of the total funds used for various works, including excavating a water catchment dam, another dam to store and lift water uphill, and digging trenches for pipelines.
He personally contributed 16,609,987 RWF, representing 25%.
The overall irrigation project was valued at 66,439,949 RWF.
SAIP II aims to promote sustainable agriculture and food security from October 2024 to October 2026.
In irrigation activities, SAIP II has already invested over 5 billion RWF, with a remaining 6 billion RWF allocated for implementation through December 2026.
The SAIP II project focuses on supporting farmers to irrigate areas of up to 10 hectares and is implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
