At least 1,442 members of Indatwa za Kamonyi cooperative in Kamonyi district have benefited from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) - funded income generation project through climate change adaptation and value chain creation of agriculture production aimed to increase farmers income through cooperative business. The three-year project implemented in partnership with Good Neighbours International (GNI Rwanda) celebrated its accomplishments and legacy on January 19. According to officials, this project has achieved the target and significantly improved productivity by up to 2.5 times, and farmers income increased four-fold among other milestones. While speaking at the function, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Rwanda, Jin-weon CHAE, expressed satisfaction over what has been achieved by the project. “I am pleased to see the successful implementation of this project, which shows the bright future for Indatwa za Kamonyi Cooperative members and Kamonyi District in general,” he said during the event closing the project. The Ambassador added that he truly hopes that what has been achieved can contribute to the building of a sustainable and healthy community in the Kamonyi district and advised the cooperative members to pursue what they have learned over the past three years to sustain their achievements. He further said that there are other projects on the way in Kamonyi and assured to pursue a similar project in Rwanda adding that they are making efforts to expand their development cooperation in the country. Speaking at the event, the Deputy Director-General of Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Charles Bucagu commended the continuing support of GNI extended to Kamonyi farmers and the cooperation of the Republic of Korea. “Specifically for Kamonyi, we want to appreciate the contribution through the legacy of this project that is going to contribute in agriculture transformation of the country and wellbeing of our people,” Bucagu said. Commenting on the journey ahead as the project comes to the end, he said that they expect an increase in productivity in major food crops including maize among other benefits. Bucagu also promised to continue working with the farmers to assure they keep on this pace of economic development through practising modern agriculture. This project was implemented in three sectors in Kamonyi district by growing maize, beans, and vegetables on 133ha in Ruboroga marshland. According to Minjung KIM, the country director of GNI-Rwanda, the project implemented marshland reclamation, built two bridges, feeder road rehabilitation, post-harvest handling infrastructures, eight dryer centres, and one collection centre. Adding that farmers were trained through farmer field school among other more achievements. Kim during the same occasion assured continuous support both technically and advice to keep what has been achieved. Beneficiaries speak out Different Indatwa members who benefitted from this project commended its achievements saying that it has changed their lives. Lea Masengesho, an Indatwa member, said that she benefited a lot and learned different things such as saving and modern agriculture as well as providing for her family without waiting for her husband. Masengesho added that via this project they have received various training which will help them to be professional and successful farmers. Ernest Tuyisenge, a president of this cooperative said that before this project the productivity was low, but now with all equipment and other support, the productivity has significantly increased. “Before we used to grow for instance maize 2.1 tons per hectare but now we grow above 5.0 tons per hectare and we hope to grow more in coming years,” Tuyisenge said. The past three years were full of support and they learned a lot and are now ready to keep what has been achieved, he added KOICA is a government agency dedicated to providing grant aid programs for the Government of the Republic of Korea and endeavours to combat poverty and support the sustainable socio-economic growth of partner countries. GNI in Rwanda has endeavoured to improve child sponsorship and protection, health, education, wash, agriculture and livelihood, humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and social economy in six districts of Rwanda.
