Climate-Smart Agriculture Transforms Farming in Eastern Province
Once plagued by frequent droughts and low yields, farmers in Ngoma, Kirehe, Kayonza, and other districts in Eastern Province are now embracing climate-smart agriculture (CSA) to boost productivity, conserve soil, and build resilience to climate shocks. This shift has brought about significant improvements in both yield and sustainability.
Espérance Uwizeyimana, a 54-year-old mother of five and member of Terimbere Muhinzi Cooperative in Gahara Sector, is one of the many farmers who have benefited from this transformation. She shared how the new approach has revolutionized her harvests while cutting costs.
“I used to scatter seeds randomly and waste fertiliser,” she said. “Now I prepare seedbeds properly and use less input for better yield.”
Uwizeyimana adopted Pfumvudza, a conservation farming method developed in Zimbabwe under the Joint Programme on Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE), a UN Women, FAO, IFAD, and WFP initiative supported by INADES Formation Rwanda. The technique focuses on clearing weeds without ploughing, digging small basins in straight rows, mixing manure and fertilizer, and covering soil with mulch to retain moisture.
“Before Pfumvudza, I harvested about 27 kilograms of maize per acre,” Uwizeyimana said. “Now I get around 108 kilograms from the same land.”
Encouraged by the results, her cooperative expanded from one acre of trial plots to 60 acres and expects over five tonnes of maize this season. Many farmers have since replicated the technique in home gardens, helping control pests, reduce erosion, and enrich soil fertility.
Uwizeyimana explained that farmers tested three methods—Climate Smart Agriculture, Integrated Pest Management, and traditional farming—on equal plots. “Smart agriculture produced 108 kilograms of maize per acre, IPM gave 73, and traditional farming only 23,” she said.
According to Cyriaque Nyiridandi Mapambano, Ngoma District’s Vice Mayor for Economic Development, the district is scaling up CSA to increase yields and protect the environment. “We’ve trained agronomists to help farmers adopt these practices,” he said. “In our food basket zones alone, we have 250 sites covering 19,000 hectares, and we’re working to double production under NST2.”
Climate-smart agriculture promotes minimal soil disturbance, crop rotation, and crop cover to conserve moisture and enhance resilience to drought. The government is scaling up the initiative through the Rwanda Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plan (CSA-IP) launched on June 18, 2025, by MINAGRI, the Rwanda Green Fund, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe emphasized that the plan aims to tackle challenges such as erratic rainfall, soil degradation, and post-harvest losses. “This plan supports Rwanda’s goal of building a climate-resilient, productive agriculture sector,” he said. “It aligns with the national strategy for food security and economic growth.”
The CSA plan targets 83,250 hectares of farmland for efficient water use and improved soil health. It will also link 170,200 farmers and 375 agribusinesses to climate-smart financing, attracting more than $335 million (Rwf449.7 billion) in private investment for sustainable agriculture.
Key Benefits of Climate-Smart Agriculture
- Improved Yield:Farmers like Uwizeyimana have seen a significant increase in their harvests, with some reporting up to four times the yield.
- Cost Efficiency:By using fewer inputs and adopting better practices, farmers are able to reduce their expenses while increasing productivity.
- Environmental Protection:Techniques like Pfumvudza help conserve soil and water, reducing the impact of climate change on agricultural lands.
- Resilience to Climate Shocks:Through crop rotation and minimal soil disturbance, farmers are better equipped to handle unpredictable weather patterns.
Future Prospects and Challenges
As the government continues to expand its efforts, there are still challenges to overcome. These include ensuring widespread adoption of these practices, providing adequate training, and securing sufficient funding. However, with the support of international organizations and local cooperatives, the future of agriculture in Eastern Province looks promising.
The success of initiatives like Pfumvudza demonstrates the potential of climate-smart agriculture to transform farming communities. As more farmers embrace these techniques, the region is likely to see continued improvements in food security, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.