{"id":2000128650,"date":"2026-10-10T15:29:56","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T13:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/?p=2000128650"},"modified":"2026-10-10T21:36:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T19:36:00","slug":"from-china-inspiration-to-east-africas-rising-agritourism-hub-jarama-farms-story-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/from-china-inspiration-to-east-africas-rising-agritourism-hub-jarama-farms-story-video\/","title":{"rendered":"From China inspiration to Rwanda\u2019s rising agritourism destination: Jarama Farm’s story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Located in Jarama Sector, Ngoma District, in Rwanda\u2019s Eastern Province, Jarama Farm is turning that idea into reality, transforming a stretch of farmland into a diverse agricultural venture that also invites visitors to experience farming firsthand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Founded in February 2024, Jarama Farm currently covers 24 hectares, with another 52 hectares under preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Led by Ronald Asiimwe, its managing director and co-founder, the farm combines crop production, livestock farming, agritourism and community initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pictured are flowers grown at Jarama Farm, which operates 10 greenhouses dedicated to tomatoes and other crops.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The inspiration behind the business came during a trip to China, where a conversation with a stranger introduced Asiimwe to the potential of chili farming. China is a major market for chili, including dried peppers exported from Rwanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI remember a moment when I was in China, and a stranger got me interested in chili farming. And it seemed too good to be true,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Determined to explore the opportunity, Asiimwe returned to Rwanda and travelled across the country searching for suitable farmland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cows at Jarama Farm in Ngoma District, where livestock farming forms part of an integrated agricultural system.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Friends with agricultural experience advised him to prioritise access to water, eventually leading him to Jarama, where a lake attracted his attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was drawn to the lake,\u201d he says. \u201cI visited so many areas at the beginning\u2026 there isn\u2019t a part of the country I haven\u2019t gone to look for farmland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His first attempts at chili cultivation did not meet expectations. After one or two growing cycles, he changed direction and invested in greenhouse farming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, Jarama operates 10 greenhouses, primarily growing tomatoes. Production initially reached approximately 400 kilogrammes per greenhouse before stabilising at around 150 kilogrammes per week per unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The farm reports overall production of approximately two tonnes, with monthly output estimated at 10 tonnes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flower production is another major activity, with an annual harvest of approximately 612,000 bouquets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The farm also raises cows, goats, rabbits, chickens and bees, alongside black soldier flies, which contribute to its integrated production system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Goats raised at Jarama Farm, one of the livestock activities contributing to the farm\u2019s diversified business model.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Different activities support one another, helping the business connect livestock management with crop production and other agricultural processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEverything we do here is business-oriented. Nothing we do here is without a commercial purpose or profitability; everything is interwoven,\u201d Asiimwe explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe cows serve the crops, the black soldier flies serve the chickens, so everything is linked. It\u2019s a perfect example of a mixed farm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turning farming into a tourism experience<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beyond agricultural production, Jarama is developing as an agritourism destination where visitors can learn about farming while experiencing rural life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asiimwe describes it as \u201can agritourism destination\u2026 a place where you can come and kill several birds with one stone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Flower production is another major activity, with an annual harvest of approximately 612,000 bouquets.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The farm receives approximately 50 individual visitors monthly and hosts four or five groups. It limits organised visits to roughly one per week to maintain the quality of the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tours introduce visitors to different parts of the operation, including the black soldier fly section, which often surprises people unfamiliar with the insects’ agricultural applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI take them to see the black soldier flies,\u201d he says. \u201cMany people don\u2019t expect to see flies on a farm\u2026 the flies catch them off guard, so I find it\u2019s always an interesting place to start.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Asiimwe, the tours provide an opportunity to demonstrate how different farming activities work together while challenging perceptions of agriculture as a sector limited to conventional crop cultivation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social media expands the farm\u2019s reach<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jarama\u2019s visibility has grown through social media, particularly Instagram, where videos showcasing everyday farm activities have attracted audiences interested in agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The content reaches aspiring farmers and urban residents who may have limited exposure to agricultural production. It has also helped people recognise Asiimwe outside the farm after watching the videos online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur goal is to show that side of life that many people may not experience day to day\u2026 to educate as many people as possible and to introduce farming to those who would like, at some point in their lives, to come and do what we are doing right now,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Rabbits at Jarama Farm, which combines different livestock activities with crop production and agritourism.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The discipline behind the business<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managing the farm requires close supervision of its different activities. Asiimwe begins his typical day in the nurseries, where young plants are prepared before being transferred to production areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe believe a healthy nursery is a reliable indicator of a healthy farm. You can\u2019t have a healthy farm without perfect nurseries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His responsibilities then extend to milking, goat management, flower production and beekeeping, among other activities. He also checks on the rabbits whenever time allows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFarming can never be done remotely\u2026 it takes a lot of presence. It takes being very present, following everything,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The farm employs approximately 150 to 162 daily workers, with the number occasionally rising to around 300 during busier periods. However, finding skilled labour remains a major challenge, making employee training an important part of the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporting the surrounding community<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Employment is one of Jarama\u2019s most direct contributions to the surrounding community. The farm also emphasises agricultural skills transfer and support for vulnerable children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Asiimwe says the desire to contribute to children\u2019s nutrition and healthy development inspired the establishment of a food programme designed to support their well-being and future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ronald Asiimwe, Jarama Farm\u2019s managing director and co-founder, launched the farm in 2024.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ambitions beyond Rwanda<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jarama plans to expand its tourism offering by introducing accommodation, wedding venues and a game centre. These facilities are intended to attract more visitors while keeping interactive farming at the heart of the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asiimwe hopes the farm will become one of East Africa\u2019s leading agritourism destinations within five years, with ambitions to reach a wider African audience in the following decade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His advice to aspiring farmers is to take the first step and approach agriculture with patience, commitment and a long-term vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would advise them to start. That\u2019s the most important thing. It\u2019s easy to dream, but commitment begins when you start. The second thing is patience and having a long-term vision, because most people get frustrated by the short term.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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