During implementation of the project, two dams including Cyimpima and Gashara were rehabilitated. They are an addition to a newly created Bugugu dam and 23.5 – kilometer water pipe built between 2019 and 2020 all at a cost Rwf21 billion.
JICA also started six-year capacity building project in 2019 to equip farmers with best agricultural practices and educate them on proper use of infrastructures made available.
Three years after inauguration, the project is promising to yield big as 1300 farmers exploiting the marshland have started doubling their produce.
Before the rehabilitation, farmers used to grow rice on 260 hectares. With irrigation infrastructures put in place, they extended agricultural activities on 340 hectares which helped them to increase the produce from 3.5 tons to 6 tons with optimism to reach 7 tons in the near future.
The increase in yields is mainly attributed to wetland’s efficient management and modern irrigation which they had lacked before.
The latter is an addition to training programs where these farmers are equipped with modern farming techniques, ways to preserve the environment, post-harvest handling techniques and skills to properly maintain infrastructures.
Besides, farmers generate huge returns from treatment of the marshland’s water sold to companies excavating stones for road construction nearby the marshland. Farmers have revealed that the business generated Rwf7, 000,000 for the past nine months.
The project aims at enhancing the quality of local rice and reduce the percentage of imported rice which currently stands at 48%.
Farmers operating in the wetland’s renovation has started uplifting their living standards.
Olive Mukashema grew rice on 50 acres but expanded her activities on a hectare, thanks to irrigation infrastructures made available. She has seen yields increasing and generates Rwf2 million from six tons per season.
“I did not apply best farming techniques until the project intervened. I grew crops expecting low yields particularly during the dry spell but the irrigation infrastructures help us to increase the produce and expand activities, “she narrated.
Mukashema shares thoughts with Théogène Zirimwabagabo who also affirms that his produce has doubled to harvest a ton per season. The progress has seen him building a decent house and venturing into livestock farming.
The mayor of Rwamagana district, Radjab Mbonyumuvunyi has said that increased produce has uplifted farmers’ livelihoods and contributed to jobs creation.
The Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda, Masahiro Imai has said that the project reflects good bilateral ties between both countries highlighting that it will play a critical role towards improved wellbeing of beneficiaries.
“That is a special project. Before, farmers didn’t access water for irrigation which negatively affected their farming. Today, they have got relief with the provision of irrigation infrastructures. Besides, farmers have seen their produce doubling and generate returns from the water. It is a commendable progress inducing pride,” he observed.
Japan’s grant aid project to rehabilitate marshlands and create dams was launched in 2019. Farmers in Rwamagana, Gisagara and Ngoma districts are receiving training under JICA’s technical cooperation project expected to be extended to other districts across the country.
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