For years, farmers in north-west Rwanda watched heavy rains sweep away their soil, crops and incomes. Today, many are harvesting record yields, earning steadier incomes and rebuilding hope – signs that climate resilience investments under a dedicated project are beginning to change lives on some of the country’s most fragile hillsides.

Launched to help communities cope with climate change and disaster risks, the Volcanos Community Resilience Project (VCRP) is delivering visible economic and social gains, particularly for farmers working on steep, high-altitude land in Nyabihu and Musanze districts.

From terraced potato fields that have quadrupled production to greenhouse farms helping improve output, residents near Volcanoes National Park say the difference is tangible: more food, more income and greater security in the face of climate shocks.

In Nyabihu District, where steep slopes and heavy rainfall have long undermined agricultural production, farmers say terracing introduced under the project has transformed once vulnerable land into productive fields.

Fidele Nteziryayo, a member of a potato farming cooperative operating on eight hectares, says soil erosion was previously a major challenge.

"For years we lost soil and fertilisers every season,” he said. "Since terraces were built, that problem has been solved” he added.

The cooperative applies about 10 tonnes of organic fertiliser per hectare. Yields have risen sharply, from five to six tonnes per hectare to around 20 tonnes, according to Nteziryayo.

Other farmers echo the same experience. Felicien Gashango, 61, says terracing has brought stability to farming in Nyabihu’s mountainous terrain.

"Our soils and crops used to be washed away,” he said. "Now production is reliable, and grasses planted along the terraces provide fodder for livestock.”

Beyond farming, the construction of terraces has also provided temporary employment for local residents. Gashango says wages earned during the works allowed him to invest in livestock.

"I bought two sheep and chickens,” he said. "That income helped improve my household’s situation.”

Farmers say the integration of crop and livestock production has improved since the intervention, with better access to animal feed and more resilient farming systems.

Greenhouses ease transition near the park

In Musanze District, communities living close to Volcanoes National Park are adjusting to changes linked to the planned expansion of the protected area, which will reduce farmland for some households.

To support this transition, the project promotes intensive, climate-smart agriculture that enables farmers to earn more from smaller plots of land through the Aheza Kinigi Farm Company they established, while reducing pressure on the park.

Agnes Mukarwego, a beneficiary of the programme, says greenhouse farming has changed perceptions of agriculture in the park’s buffer zones.

"We were trained to use modern methods and produce more on small pieces of land,” she said.

Aheza Kinigi Farm Company now harvests about 500 kilogrammes of bell peppers and 700 kilogrammes of tomatoes each week on 35/6 ares, while cucumber production is expected to reach up to three tonnes per production cycle.

Alice Maniraguha, an agronomist working with the farmers, says the results show that climate resilient farming can support both conservation and livelihoods.

"On the same land, farmers are producing up to four times more than before, and they are less exposed to climate shocks,” she said.

She added that although some farmers were initially hesitant, many have embraced greenhouse farming as a reliable source of income, especially those affected by land use changes around the park.

Greenhouse farming is part of a broader support package for communities affected by the planned expansion of Volcanoes National Park.

Households whose land will be incorporated into the park are being prepared for relocation into planned settlements, alongside training aimed at supporting new livelihoods.

Project implementation began in 2023 with a preparatory phase focusing on community engagement, livelihood readiness and social safeguards, according to Rwanda Development Board (RDB).

The affected households received training in entrepreneurship and professional horticulture.

The first phase of relocation will involve 510 households currently occupying more than 450 hectares. Once completed, the expansion will increase the park’s size by about 37.4 square kilometres, representing roughly a 23 percent increase.

The planned settlements will include housing and access to basic services. Affected households will receive cash compensation for their properties, with full ownership of the new houses transferred after a transition period.

The first phase of implementation is expected to be completed by 2028.

Progress on resilience and early warning

The project has also made progress in strengthening disaster preparedness and settlement planning for households affected by the park expansion, according to the Ministry of Environment.

Land acquisition has been completed for hundreds of parcels, and designs for climate resilient model homes have been developed, laying the groundwork for relocation that prioritises safety, environmental sustainability and dignity.

Flood early warning systems have been expanded, improving access to timely information in high risk areas. New hydrological monitoring stations have been installed, enhancing the accuracy of flood forecasts.

More than 1,800 residents have been trained on how to understand and respond to early warning messages, while outreach activities in 20 flood prone hotspots reached around 1,700 people.

Key achievements on the ground

Across Nyabihu District, about 80 hectares of terraces have been constructed, while another 80 hectares of riverbanks and anti-erosion structures have been restored, stabilising fragile slopes and reviving degraded farmland.

In Mukamira Sector, one of the most erosion prone areas, terraces were built on 24 hectares and four kilometres of drainage channels added. These measures reduced soil erosion by about 95 percent, cutting annual soil loss from 25 tonnes to around one tonne. Potato yields increased from five to eight tonnes per hectare to about 25 tonnes.

Musanze District completed seven hectares of terraces and planted more than 16,000 agroforestry seedlings across 242.5 hectares to improve soil health and moisture retention.

In Rubavu, 47 hectares of progressive terraces were restored, while vulnerable households received rainwater harvesting tanks and gutters, reducing pressure on catchments and cutting the long distances families previously travelled to fetch water.

Soil and water conservation efforts also included the construction of radical terraces, infiltration trenches and the planting of nearly 160,000 seedlings. In Mukamira, 21 hectares of fodder production boosted milk output by about 95 percent, reduced fodder costs by 80 percent and enabled households to earn roughly Rwf25,000 per month from sales.