The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on October 29, visited A&N HINGA in Gashora, Bugesera District, an agribusiness specialised in producing a wide variety of horticultural crops, with a primary focus on chilies, which they export to markets as far away as China. The exercise was carried out as part of the activities to mark World Food Day.
The primary purpose of the visit was part of the broader effort to assess the impact of agricultural progress in the area after FAO supported A&N HINGA by providing them with a state-of-the-art solar-powered energy system which ultimately brought about a transformation in their operations.
A&N HINGA is part of the 49,502 agri-businesses benefiting from the project dubbed "Joint Programme on Enhancing Climate Resilient and Integrated Agriculture in Disaster Prone Areas of Rwanda.”
The project aims to curb low productivity, reliance on rainfall, and fluctuations in food prices since 70 per cent of Rwanda’s population engages in agriculture, and this heavy dependence on subsistence farming exposes them, hence a challenge.
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During the visit, Appolline Uwayitu Nyampeta, a chilli farmer and owner of A&N HINGA who benefited from the project, shared thoughts on the impact of FAO’s support and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to enhance her farm’s efficiency and production.
"In Bugesera, usually no one can farm during the sunny season except in wetlands, and just because you have water in close proximity is not sufficient since you need to pull water using irrigation machines. No one in this area had the means to buy these machines; however, we can now irrigate five hectares at once,” explained Uwayitu.
Uwayitu mentioned that the opportunity means a lot. "Now we can plant and harvest year-round because we are no longer restricted by the sunny or rainy seasons.”
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Placide Nshuti Kanyabujinja, Senior Water Engineer, said the initiative taken today is under the annual theme "Water is Life, Water is Food, Leave No One Behind”, which has been celebrated as part of World Food Day.
"What FAO is doing is in the framework of promoting the private sector because one farmer can impact the entire surrounding. In the case of Uwayitu, for example, she helps small farmers in a small plot with improved seeds, extensions and all other support, that’s why we supported her.”
He added: "We chose these areas: Nyagatare, Karangazi sector; Kayonza, Gahini sector; and Bugesera, Gashora sector because of the severe draughts they normally experience.”
Kanyabujinja also highlighted that solar irrigation systems are environmentally friendly compared to diesel pumps as they pollute the environment. It is less costly that’s why every farmer needs to adopt it.
"We expect a big impact from her,” he added.
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Following their visit to Gashora, the FAO team continued to the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA). While at RICA, they were briefed about the institution’s core mandate, mainly its educational programmes that equip students with hands-on practical essential agricultural skills in the quest of transforming Rwanda’s agriculture sector.
Additionally, they explored various on-site projects, including poultry, and dairy farming, which serve as hands-on learning experiences for students. The delegation also witnessed the advanced tools like dryers, cleaners, and equipment used for crop processing, such as maize, millet, and soybeans, highlighting RICA’s commitment to modern agricultural practices and education in the country.