By Seif Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali,Rwanda,
Rwamagana – Fruit and vegetable farming continues to transform the livelihoods of residents in Gisagara District, Southern Province of Rwanda, where irrigation technology has made agricultural activities productive and generated jobs, particularly for the youth.
At the Catholic University of Rwanda (CUR), located in Save Sector, fruit farming has been prioritized through the use of irrigation technology and agricultural innovation.
The university cultivates fruits on 10 hectares, focusing on tree tamarillo and passion fruit (maracuja). This farm contains nearly 16,000 Tamarillo trees and approximately 5,500 passion fruit trees, making it an important fruit-growing hub in the area.
Irrigation Was a Challenge
Ntihabose Cleophas, an Agronomist overseeing crops on this farm, says that before 2024, this land was not being used for commercial farming.
He says: “We made the decision to clear the existing forest on this land and establish a fruit farm. However, one of the major challenges we faced was finding a reliable way to supply water to the crops.”
Although there was a water source nearby from the Rwasave marshland, the university lacked the financial capacity to pump that water to the farm.
Ntihabose explains that after realizing they could not afford the infrastructure required to pump water from the Rwasave marshland to the farm, located between one and one and a half kilometers away, they received support through the Small Scale Irrigation Technology (SSIT) initiative under SAIP II.
He says: “We were fortunate to be selected as beneficiaries of the Small Scale Irrigation Technology (SSIT) initiative under SAIP II. Since the Catholic University of Rwanda had 10 cultivable hectares, it was provided with a solar-powered irrigation system, including its installation.”
He notes that the total investment in this irrigation setup amounted to 96 million Rwandan francs (RWF).
He says: “The university contributed 24 million RWF, while SAIP II provided the remaining 72 million RWF. This turned our plans into reality and provided us with irrigation, helping the university establish and manage fruit fields properly for healthy crop growth.”
Yields Have Begun to Arrive
Ntihabose mentions that acquiring the irrigation equipment helped them achieve their first harvest.
He says: “The first harvest we obtained exceeds 1.2 tons of passion fruit, and the trees are still producing .”
They have started harvesting and expect to produce at least 7 tonnes per year.
They expect yields to continue rising in the future.
He says: “We anticipate higher yields because passion fruit trees can continue producing for three to five years. We are also expecting a large harvest from the Tamarillo trees as they reach full maturity.”
He adds that having access to irrigation water allowed their crops to grow well and yield effectively.
A Farm Serving as a Practical Learning Ground for Students
Beyond agricultural yield, this project plays a role in education.
Ndayishimiye Jean Damascene, Chief accountant at the Catholic University of Rwanda, states that they focus on offering courses related to processing agricultural produce and adding value to it, providing students with opportunities to gain practical skills in processing farm yields.
He says: “This is a major investment that required a lot of money. We have a responsibility to safeguard and maintain it because it will play a significant role in the development of this university.”
He also notes that the project offers strong practical learning opportunities for students.
He says: “Students learning agricultural processing will benefit greatly from this farm, as we have acquired fruit processing equipment that will help them gain hands-on skills in adding value to agricultural produce.”
He further explains that combining fruit farming with crop processing allows students to gain practical knowledge across various stages of agriculture, from farming to processing and value addition.
SAIP II Created Youth Employment Opportunities for Self-Development
Fruit farming on this land has also contributed to job creation.
Around 80 people have been employed in various tasks related to managing the farm, including land preparation, crop care, irrigation, harvesting, and managing the fruit orchards.
Elia Ndatimana, a resident of Gisagara District, Save Sector, Kagatoki Cell, is one of the young people who secured employment through this project.
Previously, he worked as a security guard at the university. He explains that after seeing a former colleague transfer to irrigation work, they talked, and the colleague shared how the job was improving his livelihood. Ndatimana then decided to join as well.
He says: “I arrived here on January 12, 2026. During my time here, I have improved my life by raising small livestock,though not many, they are there and dressing well as a young person.”
Regarding his wage, Ndatimana mentions that he is among the permanent staff, but pay varies depending on the specific tasks assigned.
He says: “There are times when we transport fertilizer; during those days, I earn three thousand francs (3,000 RWF) per day. Working in this type of farming has taught me a lot, to the point that I can do it independently elsewhere, as I have learned how to grow tree tomatoes or passion fruits.”
He adds: “I can take this knowledge elsewhere to help me develop myself.”
Uwizeyimana Chantal, a young resident of Gisagara District, Save Sector, Shyanda Cell, is another youth employed by the project, where she works on irrigation tasks.
She said, “Before, I could not afford to buy what I wanted, but now, with the money I earn, I can address my needs, such as buying body lotion or other things. This has also helped me understand that I need to be independent and not rely on someone else for my life.”
Chantal encourages young people to overcome fear, saying that no amount of money is too little when you have something you want to achieve. She urges them to do any work they find that can earn them money and not depend on someone else to solve their problems.
The SAIP II project 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 use through December 2026.
