In Ndego Sector of Kayonza District, farmers are witnessing how structured land management can directly address the long-standing effects of drought and soil erosion. Through the Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project Phase 2 KIIWP2, communities in Kiyovu Cell, particularly Mwulire Village, are benefiting from terracing activities designed to restore soil fertility and improve water retention.
For years, agriculture in this part of the Eastern Province has been characterized by erratic rainfall, degraded land, and scattered farming practices that limited productivity. The introduction of modern terraces under KIIWP2 has reorganized farmland and created a more sustainable production system. By reshaping sloped land into structured terraces, farmers are now able to reduce runoff, control erosion, and retain moisture for longer periods.
Vincent Ndahimana, president of a local farmers group in Ndego Sector, Kiyovu Cell, explains that before the intervention, drought and poor land organization significantly limited output. Since the project began supporting the community, farming practices have become more coordinated and yields have steadily increased. According to him, the structured approach introduced by KIIWP2 has contributed to improving household living standards for members of the group operating in Mwulire and surrounding areas.
Sandrine Munganyinka, one of 20 women in the group, says the project strengthened their capacity through group-based farming models and practical training. She explains that their fields in Kiyovu Cell were converted into terraces, enabling better soil conservation and water retention. Beyond terracing, beneficiaries were introduced to savings practices and collective problem-solving mechanisms, all facilitated through KIIWP2. She notes that these approaches have improved productivity while reinforcing unity among members.
Aphrodis Tuyishimire, a farmer and livestock keeper in Ndego Sector, confirms that before KIIWP intervention, harvests were minimal due to soil degradation and water loss. With approximately 100 hectares terraced in Mwulire Village, farmers planted maize and beans using improved seeds supplied through the project. Areas previously vulnerable to erosion now retain water more effectively. Yields that once averaged around 50 kilograms per season have in successful harvests reached up to two tons. The farmers group currently counts 37 active members engaged in organized production across the terraced land.
Dan Mandela, Value Chain Development Specialist at KIIWP2, states that the project aims to help rural farmers in Kayonza optimize agricultural production, reduce poverty, and strengthen resilience to climate variability. He explains that this is achieved through capacity building, provision of quality seeds and fertilizers, improved field organization, and construction of terraces to conserve soil and water. Farmers are trained through Farmer Field Schools on good agricultural practices, soil conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and farming as a business to ensure profitability.
KIIWP2 supports eight priority crops including maize, rice, soybeans, beans, sweet potatoes, cassava, vegetables, and fruits. In addition to terracing, the project is implementing activities in Gishanda with plans to irrigate 300 hectares and in Kanyeganyege alongside the construction of irrigation dams.
In Ndego Sector, residents are currently benefiting from modern terraces, while feasibility studies and procurement processes are underway to introduce irrigation systems that will further stabilize production.The project targets at least 40,000 rural households representing about 180,000 members. Women account for 50 percent of beneficiaries, while youth and young adults make up 30 percent.
Phase I was approved on May 2, 2019 and became effective on December 10, 2019, while Phase II became effective on April 5, 2022, building on the achievements of the first phase.In Ndego Sector of Kayonza District, the experience of farmers such as Vincent Ndahimana, Sandrine Munganyinka, and Aphrodis Tuyishimire illustrates how coordinated watershed management, terracing, and farmer organization under KIIWP2 are contributing to improved productivity and stronger resilience against climate variability.
The project targets at least 40,000 rural households representing about 180,000 members. Women account for 50 percent of beneficiaries, while youth and young adults make up 30 percent. Phase I was approved on May 2, 2019 and became effective on December 10, 2019, while Phase II became effective on April 5, 2022, building on the achievements of the first phase.In Ndego Sector of Kayonza District, the experience of farmers such as Vincent Ndahimana, Sandrine Munganyinka, and Aphrodis Tuyishimire illustrates how coordinated watershed management, terracing, and farmer organization under KIIWP2 are contributing to improved productivity and stronger resilience against climate variability.
