In the Eastern Province of Rwanda, the once drought-prone land in Kayonza District is undergoing a transformation. What was once dry and unproductive terrain is now a thriving fruit-producing region, thanks to a bold initiative that has empowered over 4,400 farmers to adapt to climate change while also tackling malnutrition and poverty.
The expansive fruit-growing zone stretches across 1,337 hectares in the sectors of Kabarondo and Murama, planted with a mix of high-value fruit trees including mangoes, avocados, citrus, jackfruit, and plums. These are not only feeding families but also yielding income for farmers who had long struggled with unpredictable weather patterns and poor soils.
From Barren to Bountiful
Climate change has left many rural farmers in Rwanda grappling with failing crops and declining soil fertility. But in Kayonza, the establishment of this fruit belt spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) in collaboration with the KIIWP project has created a buffer against climatic shocks.
“Before, the land was dry and bare. Our beans and sorghum barely survived,” says Hanyurwumutima Florence, a farmer from Kabarondo. “Now, I sell avocados three times per season and even pay school fees with the money I earn.”
The fruit trees are not only a sustainable solution to the effects of drought thanks to their deeper root systems and year-round productivity but they are also changing the face of food security and economic opportunity in the region.
Economic Impact is Tangible
The first harvest alone brought in over 52 million Rwandan Francs. Avocados contributed nearly 47 million Frw, and mangoes added over 5 million Frw. These figures are significant for smallholder farmers like Mukangarambe Erusa, who used part of her income to buy livestock and improve her household’s welfare.
“I used 800,000 Frw from my avocado sales to buy an inka, six chickens, and four goats,” she proudly shared. “Now I have a stable source of food and manure for my farm.”
Cooperative Strength and Market Potential
With 50 cooperatives involved, the project is not only about individual success it’s a story of organized community empowerment. Through training in financial literacy, post-harvest handling, and savings, farmers are learning to manage their gains more sustainably.
Kayonza District Mayor, Nyemanzi Bosco, notes that the communal model of farming has also helped streamline service delivery: “Because the land is consolidated, we are able to easily support farmers with irrigation, extension services, and linkages to markets.”
Discussions are underway with private investors to establish value-addition facilities potentially unlocking new avenues for juice production, fruit drying, and export.
A Scalable Model for Rural Resilience
Started in October 2021, the Kayonza fruit farming initiative is now the largest of its kind in Rwanda. With over 440,000 fruit trees already planted, it serves as a scalable model of how climate resilience, nutrition, and economic empowerment can converge.
This transformation shows that with strategic investment, innovation, and community participation, even the most climate-vulnerable areas can become engines of rural prosperity.
