0
0
By Christophe Uwizeyimana
On December 2, 2025, in Save Sector, Gisagara District, a new project worth over 145 million Rwandan Francs, the Solar-Powered Irrigation System, was officially launched. This project is expected to help local farmers irrigate crops such as maize and various types of vegetables, enabling them to farm throughout the year without fear of drought. It will allow them to harvest three seasons per year, using solar energy for irrigation.The organizations behind this project, including various partners, agricultural agencies, and local authorities, say they will continue supporting the farmers to ensure that the system increases crop yields and enhances women’s economic empowerment, all within a sustainable irrigation model.
Farmers benefiting from this infrastructure say it has arrived as a solution to constant losses caused by climate change, particularly prolonged droughts that used to dry up their crops, reducing harvests and hindering development.
Rukundo Jean De Dieu, President of the Inkingi z’Iterambere Cooperative, which grows maize in Shyanda Cell, says their farming activities will now produce better yields. He said: “We used to farm using non-modern methods. During the dry season, we used watering cans and traditional methods to irrigate our crops. But now, taps and irrigation pipes have been installed across our fields. Previously, we used petrol-powered machines, which were expensive, but now we shall be using solar panels. In the dry season we will irrigate at no cost. We used to incur losses, but now we expect stable harvests throughout the year.”
Uwamahoro Charlotte, a resident of Shyanda Cell and a farmer in the Nyabuyogera Marshland, says this project is a major breakthrough for her farming activities. She said: “I am a member of the Twiteze Imbere Cooperative. Rural women farmers here were struggling because of small-scale farming and daily losses. Our yields will now increase. Before this modern irrigation system, we used traditional methods that were inefficient, but now everything will be easier, and we will get higher harvests without much struggle. We thank the partners who thought about rural women and brought us this infrastructure.”
Mukagatsimbanyi Claudine, President of the Twiteze Imbere Cooperative, which farms in the Nyabuyogera Marshland, also expressed gratitude to the organizations that initiated the project.
She said: “We used to farm, and when the sun became too strong, crops dried up and we lost everything. Now we are fortunate to receive this modern irrigation technology. It will increase our yields, and during the dry season we will no longer fear farming because we now have a reliable way to irrigate, ensure food security, and even produce for the market.”
Mukamana Beletilde, also a member of the Twiteze Imbere Cooperative, says this modern irrigation system will significantly improve yields.
She said: “This area experiences a lot of sunshine, but now when it gets too hot, we will irrigate our crops. As women, we expect this technology to bring good harvests and improve our livelihoods. We assure those who provided this infrastructure that we will protect it because it is ours. We will not sit back and watch it deteriorate—we will maintain it, and no one will damage it while we are here.”
Munyeshyaka Claude Jimmy, staff member at the Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative(RWARRI) and implementer of one component of the Joint Programme on Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE), explained that the Solar-Powered Irrigation System will support 10 hectares, including hillside areas in Save Sector, Gisagara District, specifically in the Nyabuyogera site.
He says that this solar-powered system will increase agricultural production and promote the development of women in particular.
How the System Works
Claude Jimmy said:
“This project is a solar-powered irrigation system. It features technology capable of pumping 43 cubic meters of water per hour. The water is pumped into a 500–cubic-meter reservoir, roofed and constructed with clay andstones, located on a hillside. Fromthere, the water is sufficient to irrigate the 10 hectares continuously and efficiently. It then flows down naturally into the fields using gravitational force.”
He added that the system will enable farmers to produce three farming seasons per year, without facing water shortages. In addition to irrigation, a Zero-Energy Charcoal Cooler storage facility was launched . It will store and cool vegetables while waiting for transport to markets.
Claude Jimmy added: “The project does not end here. We shall continue supporting these farmers until August 2027. We will keep working with them in land preparation, cultivation, harvesting, and market linkage. We also plan to train them in technical skills.”
Habineza Jean Paul, Vice Mayor of Gisagara District in charge of Economic Development, who attended the event, said this project is expected to significantly boost the local economy. He said: “This project was initiated in collaboration with various partners under JP RWEE, including RWARRI and others. We are pleased that it will help our farmers practice agriculture without waiting for rainfall. We urge residents to make proper use of this infrastructure for their development. We shall also support them, including through livestock development, so they can have manure near them and increase yields. We want production to increase from about 3 tons of maize per hectare to 8 or even 10 tons.”
Silas Ngayaboshya, who is in charge of Gender Promotion and Women’s Empowerment at Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) stated that this project is expected to promote women’s economic growth.
He said: “This project will contribute to Rwanda’s national development agenda. Since it mainly focuses on women and girls, we expect their economic status to improve. It will also help address malnutrition and food shortages.”
Why Irrigation Matters
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) states that irrigation provides crops with the water they need to grow properly, increase yields, and prevent crop failure during dry seasons—ultimately ensuring household food security and economic development.
The Solar-Powered Irrigation System will be used by two cooperatives: Inkingi z’Iterambere and Twiteze Imbere, bringing together about 690 farmers, the majority being women.
The project, which started in November 2024, took one year to complete and cost over 145 million Rwandan Francs. The Joint Programme on Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE) operates in five districts across Rwanda: Ngoma, Kirehe, Gisagara, Nyaruguru, and Nyamasheke. It is implemented by RWARRI, in collaboration with MIGEPROF and other partners including SAFE, CVI, and Inades-Formation Rwanda. The programme is supported by WFP, FAO, UN Women, and IFAD, with MIGEPROF playing a central coordination role.
The Nyabuyogera Marshland, where the solar-powered irrigation system has been installed, spans the cells of Zivu, Shyanda, Gatoki, and Munazi in Save Sector, and part of Musha Sector. It is expected to significantly increase agricultural productivity following the establishment of this permanent irrigation system.
Photos:
Photo:The inaugurated Solar-Powered Irrigation Project worth Over 145 Million RWF
Photo: Habineza Jean Paul, Vice Mayor of Gisagara District in charge of Economic Development, Silas Ngayaboshya, who is in charge of Gender Promotion and Women’s Empowerment (MIGEPROF) and others attended the event.
Photo:Gisagara District launches solar-powered irrigation system to boost year-round farming and empower women.
Photo:This irrigation system, powered by solar panels, will boost year-round farming and empower women.
Photo: People had the opportunity to visit the solar-powered irrigation project, seeing firsthand how it will boost year-round farming and empower women.
Photo:Visitors tour the maize fields at the solar-powered irrigation project, witnessing how the system will improve crop yields and support farmers.
Photo:Officials and community members attended the event, exploring the solar panels at the irrigation project and learning how solar energy will power year-round farming and boost productivity.
Photo:Officials, farmers, and a representative from WFP were present to showcase the solar-powered irrigation project, highlighting how it will boost year-round farming and empower women.
Photo:The newly launched vegetables storage room, will be powered by zero-energy technology and help farmers preserve their produce and maintain quality before reaching the market.
Photo:Rukundo Jean De Dieu, President of Inkingi z’Iterambere Cooperative, showcases the new solar-powered irrigation system set to boost year-round maize production.
Photo:Uwamahoro Charlotte, a farmer in Nyabuyogera Marshland, says the new solar-powered irrigation system will ease farming and boost yields for women
Photo:Mukagatsimbanyi Claudine highlights the new solar-powered irrigation system set to boost yields and protect crops from drought
Photo:Mukamana Beletilde believes the solar-powered irrigation system will boost crop production and empower women farmers
Photo:Munyeshyaka Claude Jimmy of RWARRI explains how the new solar-powered irrigation system will efficiently water 10 hectares, support year-round farming, and promote women’s agricultural development in Nyabuyogera.
Photo: Gisagara Vice Mayor Habineza Jean Paul emphasizes that the new irrigation project will strengthen the local economy and significantly raise maize yields
Photo:Silas Ngayaboshya of MIGEPROF says the project will boost women’s economic growth and help tackle malnutrition and food shortages.
Photo:It was truly amazing to inaugurate the solar-powered irrigation project and the vegetables storage room, marking a major step in boosting farming and increasing productivity.
Other photos of the event:
Photo:The Nyabuyogera Marshland, spanning Zivu, Shyanda, Gatoki, Munazi, and part of Musha Sector, now hosts a solar-powered irrigation system expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity.
Photo:The project features a 500-cubic-meter dam on a hillside, constructed with clay and stones, serving as the main water reservoir for irrigation.
Photo:The newly inaugurated solar-powered irrigation project introduces modern irrigation technology to the Nyabuyogera Marshland, providing consistent water supply and boosting agricultural productivity for local farmers.
