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By Annonciata Byukusenge
Farmers say that small-scale irrigation systems powered by solar energy have given them hope for higher yields. They no longer worry about the impacts of climate change, which used to dry out their crops during dry spells and prevent them from farming in the third planting season (Season C).
Ntawiha Valens, a farmer in Rwamagana District and farm manager of agricultural activities at Umuyenzi Farm, told Forefront Magazine that solar-powered irrigation has greatly boosted their production.
He explained: “We cultivate 132 hectares in total 100 hectares on hillsides and 32 hectares in marshland. Out of this, 9 hectares are irrigated: 3.5 hectares of beans in Munyiginya marshland, 6 hectares of maize, and 33 hectares of avocado on the hills.”
He added that before using solar-powered irrigation, they suffered losses because they relied on weather forecasts. When rainfall was scarce, crops would dry up. Back then, they could only farm during two seasons (A and B).
“Now we cultivate in three seasons (A, B, and C). Even during the dry season, we are not worried because we irrigate our crops, which continue to grow well and give us sufficient production.”
Nyirahabimana Claudine, a 30-year-old mother, works at Umuyenzi Farm. She is part of the team that harvests and sorts beans separating the damaged ones from the export-quality beans, while those of lower grades are sold locally.
She told Forefront Magazine: “The company’s use of solar-powered irrigation has helped us a lot because it created jobs and improved our families’ livelihoods. Normally, during the dry season, I would be idle at home since there was no work. But now, as you can see, we are harvesting fresh beans in the middle of the dry season. Farmers without irrigation cannot expect any harvest at this time since they cannot plant in the third season.”
Talking about her personal life, she said: “My living conditions have changed. Before working here, life at home was very complicated. Sometimes my children went hungry because I couldn’t afford food. When I got temporary jobs, I often left them without meals. But now I can go to work and leave them with enough food. I can also pay for our health insurance on time, which was impossible before.”
Umuyenzi Farm has been supported by the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP) since 2023. In the first phase, SAIP provided solar panels and irrigation equipment with the capacity to irrigate 3 hectares. In the second phase, they added equipment covering another 6 hectares. Today, the farm irrigates a total of 9 hectares.
The support is not limited to Umuyenzi Farm. For example, Umutesi Rhodah from Kigabiro Sector also received irrigation equipment from SAIP, which helps her grow mangoes, avocados, bananas, and rice.
She explained: “Before SAIP’s support, I was a farmer, but climate change prevented me from getting good yields. Last year, I planted 1,000 avocado trees, but all dried up due to drought. With solar irrigation, I can now farm throughout all three seasons, and I expect much better production.”
“Though the Rwamagana district leads in implementing the SAIP project with over 500Ha covered, it has only covered 11% of the targeted 3,000Ha of irrigable land, and the largest percentage comes from the project support. “Said the Rwamagana district Vice Mayor in charge of economic affairs, Richards Rwamunono Kagabo.
Mutabaruka Ezra, Coordinator of the SAIP II project, said that farmers supported with small-scale irrigation must make the most of it since they are no longer at the mercy of prolonged droughts that prevent production or limit planting to only certain seasons.
“We encourage farmers with irrigation systems to plant in all seasons and maximize the irrigated land they have. This will help them develop economically, achieve food security, and fight malnutrition, especially among children under five and pregnant women.”
In 2024, SAIP had set a target of bringing small-scale irrigation to 1,200 hectares. That goal was surpassed, with 1,367 hectares irrigated by the end of the year.
SAIP II also began with a target of 1,000 hectares but has already reached 1,078.5 hectares. More than 3,360 farmers have benefited from the project, 1,916 men and 1,453 women.
SAIP I (2018–2023, extended) and SAIP II (2024–2026) are funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) through the World Bank and implemented by the Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Board (RAB).
