Rwanda wants better agriculture productivity to ensure food security. This is the main reason why the government is currently developing irrigation systems across country.
Innocent Nzeyimana, of the Irrigation and Mechanization Task Force at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources was recently interviewed by Agnes Bateta of Business Week and below are excerpts;
{{Why start up irrigation in Rwanda?
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Rwanda has not been spared from the negative effects of climate change.
Due to climate change, the once reliable rainy seasons are now unpredictable and the Eastern Provinces have been experiencing droughts. It became necessary to start irrigation development, especially in the Eastern Province.
Rwanda is also pursuing intensified and commercial agriculture and irrigation is a good strategy to achieve this goal
{{How do you think it will help improve agriculture productivity?}}
Irrigation has the advantage of improving the quality of seasonal rains in that you can have supplementary irrigation during dry spells. You can extend the season and you can even utilize Season C which is normally dry.
This increases production up to three times. Under irrigation water is controlled. Therefore farmers have reduced risk and are willing to optimize the use of inputs like fertilizer and seed. This will increase productivity.
{{How is it going to help sustain food security of the country?}}
Rwanda’s agriculture has long been subsistence. With the introduction of irrigated modern agriculture, production of staple crops like maize and beans will increase and the country will be able to meet its food requirements and in time be able to export.
{{Are both small scale and large scale farmers to benefit?}}
The irrigation development strategy is catering for both small scale farmers and large scale farmers.
According to our strategy by 2017/18, Rwanda must have reached 100,000 hectares developed with irrigation of which 25,000 is planned under large scale farmers.
{{How much of the Rwandan agriculture budget is allocated to irrigation?}}
Last fiscal year 2013-14, over Rwf82billion (nearly $117 million) allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Resources budget, 26% of this budget was allocated to irrigation. This financial year 2014-15, 43% is allocated to irrigation from the Rwf90. ($128 million) of MINAGRI budget.
{{In which districts is presently irrigation practiced the most?}}
Development is countrywide, but emphasis has been in the Eastern Province (which has the greatest potential and greatest need). Districts such has Nyagatare, Kirehe, Gatsibo, Bugesera, Ngoma, Nyanza amongst others have benefitted from irrigation projects.
{{How many hectares are under irrigation?}}
Currently 30,000ha have been developed with a planned target of 100,000ha by 2017/18
{{How will irrigation help in creating off-farm jobs in the country?}}
Agriculture is the main driver of the economy at the moment and irrigation is the engine of agriculture.
Irrigation development is integrated into value chains which have transformative industries. Secondary industries based on processing of produce from the irrigation schemes such as soya oil extraction, livestock feed, maize flour among others will be sources of employment.
Irrigation will also demand a supportive manufacturing industry for the fabrication of the various equipment. So definitely irrigation will contribute much to off-farm job creation
{{Could talk about the 50% irrigation government subsidy?}}
Rwanda is promoting commercial drought resilient agriculture, that’s why the country is expanding its area under irrigation.
In order that small farmers also benefit from the expansion Rwanda has initiated the Farmer Led Small Scale Irrigation Technology Program (SSIT).
Under the SSIT, a farmer requiring irrigation will get a subsidy of up to 50%, but must pay the remainder of the cost of the equipment. The subsidy is not a blanket 50%, but it is pro-rated with the socially disadvantaged farmer getting 50% and the relatively well-off farmer may get as much as 5%. The subsidy is a range from 5% to 50%.
{{How is it going to help the irrigation scheme?}}
It will assist in a number of ways. Firstly, the government realized that the cost of irrigation equipment tended to be high thereby frustrating farmers who may be interested in irrigation development. So the government had to devise ways of attracting farmers to demand irrigation.
A partial subsidy combined with the farmer paying part of the cost of the equipment will increase farmers’ sense of ownership for the equipment. Because the farmer has invested in the equipment he/she has a self-obligation to fully utilize the equipment.
The attractive conditions will result in a demand for irrigation with participation of the private individuals. Therefore the government will be able to meet its goals through harnessing part of the funds from the farmers.
{{How many irrigation projects does the country have so far?}}
30,000ha is under irrigation, divided into roughly 26,000ha marshland and 4000ha Hillside
{{Who are the supporters to such projects?}}
The government of Rwanda is contributing through the Government Funded Irrigation initiative as well as several development partners like the World Bank and African Development Bank and there are several NGOs who are also developing schemes countrywide.
Source: East Africa Business Week
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