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By Annonciata Byukusenge
Vegetable farmers in Nyamata Sector, Bugesera District, say they decided to grow their crops in greenhouses because the method requires little land yet produces a much higher yield.
Odal Ngerero, a vegetable farmer from Kanazi Cell, explains that before using a greenhouse, he relied on traditional farming methods that brought little harvest.
“Greenhouse farming is unlike anything else,” he says. “Since I started using it, my production has increased significantly. I now harvest between 10 and 15 tons per season.”
He adds that he plans to expand his greenhouse business. Currently, he grows chili peppers and French beans but hopes to include other crops in the future.
Jeannette Byukusenge, who works in sorting French beans, says her job has changed her life and improved her family’s well-being.
“Before getting this job, life was very hard for me and my family,” she says. “We often lacked enough food and couldn’t afford health insurance. Now I can pay for everything without difficulty, and our living conditions have improved. We live well.”
Ngerero also mentions that after learning that the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) was accepting project proposals from farmers to be supported under the CDAT project, he decided to apply.
“I submitted my project and was fortunate to be selected for support,” he explains. “CDAT gave me 100 million Rwandan francs. My production has increased, and I now have reliable market access for my produce.”
The benefits of greenhouse farming are also highlighted by Claire Uwera, who grows passion fruit in Kayumba Cell, Nyamata Sector.
“Greenhouse farming helps crops maintain high quality and ensures good yields,” she says. “When there is heavy rainfall that damages open-field crops, it doesn’t affect those in the greenhouse. Even climate change doesn’t impact us much because we have an irrigation system.”
She adds that she is grateful to the CDAT project, which provided her with a grant of 12 million Rwandan francs, enabling her to establish her current farming operations. Her greenhouse holds 1,700 passion fruit plants, each producing around five kilograms of fruit.
Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation (CDA) Project, which is funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board through its Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU).
