A community meeting was held in Rweru Sector, Bugesera District, to introduce a new project that will help farmers improve irrigation, restore degraded land, and become more resilient to climate change. The project is implemented by the Rural Environment and Development Organization (REDO) in partnership with Rwanda Green Fund (RGF) and Bugesera District. The event took place on Tuesday, 30 September 2025, and brought together local leaders, farmers, and partners. During the meeting, REDO explained how the project will help farmers irrigate 15 hectares of land around Lake Rweru using a solar powered water pumping system. Because farmers in this area often face long periods of drought, the project will make it easier for them to water their crops throughout the year. The project will also provide 60,000 tree seedlings including 30,000 agroforestry trees and 30,000 fruit trees to improve soil fertility, reduce erosion, and support community nutrition and income.
REDO’s Executive Director, Dr. Gashumba Damascene, explained that the project will help farmers turn challenges caused by drought into new opportunities for increasing food production. He noted that using solar energy to pump water uphill will allow gravity to distribute water to farms more easily and at a lower cost. He also mentioned that combining irrigation with tree planting will greatly support environmental protection.
Farmers who attended the meeting shared their excitement. Eugenie Nkurayabo from Batima Cell said that after seeing the first small irrigation trial near their village, they immediately wanted to join the cooperative benefiting from the project. She explained that many farmers had experienced poor harvests due to drought, and this new system brings hope for better yields. Another farmer, Jean de Dieu Musabyimana, said the solar powered system is reliable and affordable, especially for communities that used to depend only on rainfall. He noted that the pilot phase on five hectares produced onions and vegetables even during dry periods.
A representative from Bugesera District also gave remarks during the meeting. Mr. Ntazinda Rongin, the District Agronomist, said that this project is an important step in helping farmers overcome the effects of climate change. He explained that the district has faced many challenges related to long dry seasons, which often reduce crop production. He added, “This project comes at the right time because farmers in Rweru Sector have struggled with drought for many years. With this solar-powered irrigation system, they will finally be able to grow crops throughout the year. We encourage farmers to protect the infrastructure and use it well so that the entire community benefits.” He also highlighted that the project will not only improve food security in Bugesera but also increase the amount of produce supplied to national and regional markets. Agricultural experts also appreciated the project. Ayinkamiye Agnes, Head of Rubirizi RAB Station, explained that the new irrigation system will allow farmers to grow crops like vegetables, maize, and beans up to three times a year. She added that the fruit and agroforestry trees will help keep the soil healthy and productive for future planting.
This two year project, valued at 300 million Rwandan francs, will continue to support farmers in using irrigation effectively and protecting the new infrastructure. Before launching the full project, REDO had already tested irrigation on five hectares of land, and the results were very successful. This success led to the decision to expand the technology to 15 more hectares. With strong collaboration between REDO, Rwanda Green Fund (RGF), and Bugesera District, the project is expected to support climate smart agriculture and help communities living around Lake Rweru build stronger and more sustainable livelihoods.