By Irene Gaitirira
Published July 17, 2019
The first phase of a project aimed at providing food security has begun in Rwanda.
The objective of the project that is known as Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project KIIWP) is to address water shortage in Gahini, Kabare, Kabarondo, Murama, Murundi, Mwiri, Ndego and Rwinkwavu areas of Eastern Province that are prone to drought.
An estimated 11 250 farmers are set to benefit from KWIIP through access to land and water. This, experts say, will bring 1 400 hectares of land under climate-resilient management and benefit 21 000 people.
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Though agriculture is the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, contributing 32.7 per cent of the GDP, it is characterised by small production units and high population pressure on natural resources. In fact, about 80 per cent of the rural population is made up of subsistence farmers who depend mainly on rainfed production.
Consequently KWIIP, that is financed by International Fund for Agricultural Development (US$17.8 million loan and US$8.3 million climate finance grant), Government of Rwanda (US$5.4 million) and the beneficiaries themselves (US$1.5 million), is expected to construct 35 valley tanks and boreholes in rainfed areas and invest in schemes for the irrigation of 2 275 hectares.
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The implementers of KWIIP say it will promote climate-smart agriculture for irrigated and rainfed lands through farmer field schools, disseminating good nutritional practices and investment in catchment rehabilitation, development of livestock and domestic water infrastructure, and establishment of efficient institutions to manage infrastructure.
The financing agreement for the Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project – Phase 1 (KIIWP1) was signed on June 22, 2019 by Gilbert F Houngbo, President of IFAD, and Gerardine Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda.
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