In a bid to promote the use of biogas and contribute to the country’s green energy and preserve the environment, VSF-Belgium has strengthened the installation of over 800 biogas units to smallholder farmers in Huye District, southern province. The Belgian Non-Governmental organisation has been providing biogas to smallholder farmers in rural areas in Rwanda since 2021, specifically in four districts of the southern province namely Nyamagabe, Huye, Nyanza and Ruhango since 201 It partners with IMBARAGA farmers ‘organization, VSF say that in 2022 it will sustain its efforts to promote biogas use. The organisation targets to increase biogas the use of biogas to 120 other smallholder farmers mainly in Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe and Kayonza in the eastern province. This was revealed by VSF-Belgium & IMBARAGA senior officials in Huye during an official open day aimed at showcasing their achievements to different partners including, farmers as prime beneficiaries, local leaders, community leaders, and donors. Beneficiaries speak out While speaking to the media, smallholder farmers in Rusatira and Kinazi sectors, Huye District testified the advantages of biogas. They expressed gratitude to VSF-Belgium and its donors, the Belgian government, Rotary Club International and Vlaams Brabant Province for supporting them to access green cooking energy, but also to increase their agriculture production by use of biogas digesters as organic compost. Clemence Mukarurangwa is one of the farmers from Sazange cell Kinazi sector Huye District who benefited from VSF support. “Biogas use has helped me save a lot of time and resources because today I am able to prepare food for the family in less than 20 minutes. Before it used to take more than three hours,” Mukarurangwa who has a family of five. “Now am able to prepare food very fast and continue ahead with my usual farming and household activities and looking after our livestock.” Since we use biogas, she said, my husband currently cooks food for the family without shame, which helps in the promotion of gender equality. “Also, with biogas use, our Children can now study well and do their homework at night expecting, in fact, biogas solved lots of issues such children missing classes because they are collecting firewood,” she said. Prioritizing Girinka beneficiaries and smallholder pig farmers In an interview, Expedith Musengiyaremye, the Country Representative of VSF-Belgium in Rwanda said that during this programme of 2022-2026 at least over 120 smallholder farmers who were given cows under the Girinka programme will be prioritized as far as the distribution and promotion of biogas is concerned. “The successful Girinka beneficiaries, especially those with a good record of livestock performance will be our focus so that they can also increase their domestic welfare and social-economic wellbeing’’ added Musengiyaremye. The Country Representative of VSF-Belgium told the media that as long as more funds are mobilised, they make sure that the biogas technology benefits poor households. The success rate for biogas technology is estimated at 97 per cent, he said. According to Musengiyaremye, one of the great challenges is that the government suspended subsidies on biogas, which has made it more expensive to install. “We are requesting the government to help us and consider reintroducing the subsidies,” he added. Leon Pierre Kayitare, the JADF officer who was representing Huye District also thanked VSF. “We as district officials consider the project achievements because, in the context of their achievements, we see VSF-Belgium as our close partner in helping us achieve our targets in as far as district performance contracts are concerned,” he said. Dr. Désiré Bimenyimana, the Project Manager, said that supporting vulnerable families will always be their main concern. Efforts to narrow gap in biogas use Oreste Niyonsaba, Social Energy Manager at Rwanda Energy Group (REG) described the initiative as excellent, requesting VSF to invest more time in training the beneficiaries. “In partnership with other stakeholders like Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) Reserve Force and others, we are currently carrying out a thorough assessment by visiting every beneficiary in order to find out different factors that handicap the successful development and promotion of biogas technology in the country,” he said. The assessment, he explained, will help us prepare a full study and make another new approach for the new biogas programme and narrow the existing few gaps in the use of biogas. Funded by the Belgian Government Directorate-general for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid (DGD), Rotary Club International and Vlaams Brabant, the project has spent Rwf450 million since 2014. The package includes the installation of domestic biogas units, renovation or construction of cowsheds, and provision of water tanks. It also involves Rehabilitation and connecting human toilet to the biodigesters, training of biogas repairers and adequate capacity building of beneficiaries in all facets of biogas constructions, usage/functioning and management.
