Over 384,000 avocado trees are set to be planted across 27 districts of Rwanda, Kigali city excluded. The move is a result of One Acre Fund-TUBURA’s program to support the government’s initiative of distributing three fruit trees per family, to allow Rwandans to have a nutritious diet, and also to help farmers transition into growing commercial crops. Distribution started on Friday, October 22 in different districts of Rwanda. Set to take place throughout the month, the avocado trees distribution will be conducted through two main models, according to a statement released by One Acre Fund-TUBURA. In the first one, the donation model, districts will receive 67,500 free avocado seedlings in the selected areas. The second model will involve delivering to farmers 316,500 avocado tree seedlings that are subsidised, and farmers will pay for them in installments. “The cost of seedling production is still high and this leads to high purchase prices for tree seedlings, which makes it hard for farmers to grow improved avocado varieties. This is why we are subsidizing the seedlings to help farmers pay low prices and help them access these improved varieties.” read the statement in part. Other commercial farmers outside the One Acre Fund-TUBURA Core program, as well as other companies and Non-Governmental Organizations willing to buy seedlings for farmers will pay for seedlings in full. Farmers share reactions Farmers who talked to The New Times, expressed gratitude and said that these seedlings will facilitate them in various purposes. “We hope that planting avocados will improve our nutritional standards, because we often lack a balanced diet because we don’t have enough fruits, but planting these fruits will address that,” said Philomene Mutirende, a resident of Mayange sector, Bugesera district. She added that the support will also cut the costs of the money they used to buy fruits, because they will be harvesting them from their farms. Other beneficiaries also noted that planting avocados can be used for business, because some farmers will get the opportunity to cultivate more and have some to sell. Edison Nisingizwe, one of the local grass root leaders who was present during the event, noted that apart from nutrition and economic impacts, the trees will also combat climate change. “Our district often has low rains, hence planting these trees will also fight this dry climate, and contributing to a greener city,” he commented. Apart from this initiative, One Acre Fund-Tubura has served more than 630,000 farm families from 27 districts by providing services to increase the yields and improve the quality of life.
