Innovative Soil-Free Farming Project Wins Prestigious Competition
A team of four students from the Rwanda Coding Academy has made history by winning the 2025 JA Africa in Rwanda Company of the Year competition. Their groundbreaking project, Agro Haven, addresses pressing issues such as food insecurity and land scarcity through an innovative soil-free farming method. The initiative not only offers a sustainable way to grow crops but also reuses organic waste, reducing food loss while promoting environmental sustainability.
The competition, held on November 5, was themed “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation.” It brought together high school innovators from across Rwanda to present projects that tackle climate and sustainability challenges. The winning team will now represent Rwanda at the Junior Achievement Africa regional finals in Abuja, Nigeria, where they will compete against other top student entrepreneurs from across the continent for the chance to represent Africa at the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Prize.
A Vision for Sustainable Agriculture
Agro Haven was born out of growing concerns over rapid urbanization, limited farmland, and rising air pollution. The system allows crops to be grown without soil, making it ideal for areas with scarce land resources. This approach not only supports food security but also helps reduce the environmental impact of traditional farming methods.
Emery Rubagenga, Chairperson of the Junior Achievement Rwanda Board, praised the students for their creativity and courage. He emphasized that the competition is about more than just winning. “Learning doesn’t end here; it’s a lifelong process,” he said. “To the winning team, I urge you to represent Rwanda with excellence at the continental finals. Keep being innovative, creative, and committed to learning.”
Rubagenga also commended Junior Achievement Africa and its partners for expanding the program’s reach to more schools nationwide, fostering a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation among youth.
Keynote Address Highlights Importance of Youth Innovation
Delivering the keynote address, Diogene Kagango from the Rwanda TVET Board applauded the initiative for equipping students with practical skills and a forward-looking mindset. “What we see here today is more than a competition—it’s a platform where students turn ideas into real solutions for their communities,” Kagango said. “Programs like JA Company of the Year are vital in promoting entrepreneurship and technical education that prepare young people for the future of work.”
He encouraged the students to continue applying their creativity toward sustainable and inclusive development.
Student Perspectives on the Win
One of the students who won the competition, Emma Response Hirwa, explained that the idea behind Agro Haven came from realizing how population growth is putting pressure on available farmland. “As cities expand and space for agriculture shrinks, new methods are needed to ensure food security,” she said. “We wanted to create a system that could produce enough crops even when land is limited, and now we are looking for ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce food waste. Our goal was to design something practical that can help both people and the environment.”
Another team member, Kevine Niyikora Ihimbazwe, described the win as an unexpected but unforgettable moment. “There were so many great ideas, and at some point, we didn’t think we would win. It feels like everything just happened so fast—it’s such a miracle we can’t even explain,” she said.
Future Goals and Recognition
The team received a cash prize of $500 and a ticket to represent Rwanda at the continental finals in Abuja this December. Ihimbazwe said she looks forward to sharing the news with her family and thanked Junior Achievement Africa in Rwanda for giving students the chance to showcase their creativity and contribute to the country’s development.
“This opportunity reminded us that young people really can build solutions for Africa,” she added.