New tech-powered agric hub to support Volcanoes National Park communities

A new horticulture hub has been launched in Kinigi, Musanze District, to support families affected by the expansion of Volcanoes National Park. Inaugurated on August 29, the hub aims to provide alternative sources of income and promote conservation, officials said. The project was set up in partnership with Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), and Holland Greentech, a Dutch organisation that supports horticulture in Africa. ALSO READ: Inside $255m volcanoes park expansion project Boosting livelihoods through tech-enabled horticulture Part of the broader Volcanoes Community Resilience Project, the horticulture hub spans 1,250 square metres and features three greenhouses, a cold storage facility, and a pack house handling fresh produce. It aims to empower local communities — particularly those set to be relocated under the Volcanoes National Park expansion project — by providing alternative and sustainable sources of income, according to the project initiators. Crops grown at the hub include tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers, selected for their high market demand and profitability. The hub is expected to be managed by the affected residents under the Volcano Community Association. According to Holland Greentech Rwanda, the facility will provide relocated families with essential skills in greenhouse farming, boosting production efficiency while conserving resources. ALSO READ: Rwf317b Volcanoes National Park expansion to be piloted in 2024 Park expansion and smart green village The horticulture hub is implemented under Volcanoes Community Resilience Project. The project is supported by partners including the World Bank, with a budget of $50 million (over Rwf72 billion). Its scope covers disaster mitigation, clean water access, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood development It directly supports the first phase of the Volcanoes National Park restoration project, which involves the relocation of 510 households to a 50-hectare Smart Green Village. This settlement is designed with an eco-friendly approach, featuring solar-powered homes, water treatment and reuse systems, and integrated infrastructure for education, healthcare, and economic activity. Overall, the park expansion, estimated to cost $255 million (about Rwf367 billion), seeks to rehabilitate and expand mountain gorilla habitat while improving biodiversity, reducing human–wildlife conflict, and uplifting socio-economic conditions for surrounding communities. It is projected that the project will add more than 37 square kilometres (3,700 hectares) to the park by 2028, according to RDB. RDB Chief Executive Officer Jean-Guy Afrika said that the government of Rwanda started an initiative to expand the Volcanoes National Park, indicating that the first phase of the initiative needs 450 hectares and relocation of the identified residents to the Smart Green Village. The village will include zones for agriculture, livestock, and tourism, maximising the economic potential of communities living near the park. The agricultural section will host hydroponic systems (soil-less farming), greenhouses, cold storage, and agro-processing facilities. Colette Nyirambonigaba, a member of the committee representing people to be relocated for the park expansion project implementation, expressed her optimism. “The area we are moving to is a big improvement. Our current village is unsafe due to frequent wildlife incursions. The new village will offer us electricity, clean water, health facilities, and better access to services.” She also lauded the agricultural training provided, which is expected to allow farmers to maximise yields using modern techniques on smaller plots of land. Afrika underscored the project's long-term vision, stating that the horticulture hub will enable smallholder farmers to achieve higher yields on limited land, improving their well-being and economic resilience.” He added that the expansion initiative aligns with national priorities: “We will build model houses, with infrastructure, water, schools, health [facilities] that align with the vision of the country,” he said. He indicated that the launched hub is part of many projects that are meant to improve people’s welfare, create jobs and empower youth and women, observing “when tourism grows, so does the wellbeing of our people.” Telesphore Ndabamenye, the Minister of State for Agriculture, emphasised the role of technology in modern agriculture, stating: “This hub demonstrates how we can increase productivity while preserving the environment, which is a part of our national agriculture strategy.”

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New tech-powered agric hub to support Volcanoes National Park communities