A few years ago, prolonged droughts and unpredictable weather left many families in Nasho Sector struggling to harvest enough food. Today, farmers cultivate crops throughout all three farming seasons, thanks to irrigation technology that is transforming agriculture in one of Rwanda’s driest regions. “Days are gone when erratic weather patterns threatened farming. We now plant crops in all seasons A, B and C,” said Valeria Musabyimana, a mother of three and member of the NAICO cooperative in Kirehe District. “Last season, I earned Rwf800,000. Life has changed, my children go to good schools, and worries about what to eat are no more,” she added. Musabyimana is among more than 2,000 smallholder farmers under the NAICO cooperative who irrigate over 1,000 hectares through the Nasho Irrigation Scheme. The project, launched in 2020 by President Paul Kagame and philanthropist Howard Graham Buffett, aims to boost agricultural productivity in drought-prone areas. Farmers say irrigation infrastructure has transformed land once considered barren because of recurring droughts. “We never thought this land could produce,” says farmer Jonas Mazimpaka. “Since irrigation was introduced, we plant in all seasons and production has doubled or even tripled.” Mazimpaka said he harvested four tonnes of maize from one-hectare last season and expects better yields this season after planting on time and using fertilisers more efficiently. Kirehe District Mayor Bruno Rangira said technology-driven farming has helped the district move closer to food security despite harsh climate conditions. “Farmers in the Nasho irrigation project increased their yields to between three and four tonnes after starting irrigation,” Rangira said. He added that irrigation projects are also being implemented across 7,000 hectares in Mahama, Mpanga and Nyamugali sectors and are expected to benefit about 35,000 households. The district has also partnered with the Rwanda Environment Management Authority to expand solar-powered irrigation systems. “Communities have improved food security through integrated irrigation projects using solar-powered water pumping technology,” Rangira said. Beyond farming, officials say the projects have improved livelihoods. Members of the NAICO cooperative have collectively saved more than Rwf800 million and expanded markets for their produce across the country. Phoromina Nyirangirimana, another cooperative member, said her family’s income improved after relocating from buffer zones around the irrigation scheme into a model village and receiving cattle. “From selling milk and maize, I managed to build a shop in Nasho trading centre,” she said. “I never imagined reaching this stage before the project.” Digital technology is also helping farmers access agricultural inputs more efficiently. Janvier Nsengimana, Kirehe District’s director of agriculture, said the Smart Nkunganire digital platform has simplified access to fertilisers, improved seeds and advisory services. “Shifting from analogue to digital systems has helped farmers save time and money while improving productivity,” Nsengimana said. Through the platform, farmers can order fertilisers digitally while agro-dealers process transactions faster using mobile applications.
