ARCOS and Rutsiro District Kick Off Agriculture Season A 2025 with Bold Restoration Efforts to Enhance Livelihoods and Combat Climate Change
Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa, CEO of ARCOS alongside community members planting maize
On 11th September 2024, in partnership with the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS), the Rutsiro District launched Agriculture Season A 2025 with a focus on sustainable land restoration and improved agricultural productivity. The launch event took place on 58 hectares of radical terraces, part of the 400 hectares established earlier in 2024 under the MuLaKiLa Project.
The MuLaKiLa Project, a long-term carbon initiative, spearheaded by ARCOS in partnership with the Government of Rwanda and Reforest’Action with funding from AstraZeneca, aims to restore 21,000 hectares of degraded arable land in the Ngororero and Rutsiro districts over the next 30 years. The project’s goal is to enhance the livelihoods of 160,000 smallholder farmers while contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change through large-scale tree planting and sustainable agriculture practices.
Dr. Sam Kanyamibwa, Founder and CEO of ARCOS emphasized the importance of the initiative in addressing environmental and socioeconomic challenges.
“This partnership with Rutsiro District and our stakeholders demonstrates our shared commitment to addressing both climate change and improving livelihoods. The radical terraces, along with the six million perennial trees and other millions of non-perennial trees and fruits we are planting, will not only improve agricultural productivity and sequester carbon dioxide but also protect our natural environment in a multidimensional path. Additionally, this project is providing jobs to more than 7,000 casual workers in terraces establishment in both districts. By supporting smallholder farmers with manure, lime, and seeds, we are taking steps towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals like No Poverty and Zero Hunger,” ARCOS CEO stated.
The terraces established in Rutsiro as part of the MuLaKiLa Project are an essential component of the wider restoration initiative. With AstraZeneca’s investment, six million tree species (perennial with 50% indigenous, 30% fruits and 20% exotic tree species), plus other millions of non-perennial trees will be planted in smallholder farms across the 21,000 hectares. Additionally, 10,000 hectares of terraces will be created to help combat soil erosion and enhance water retention, significantly improving farming conditions for local communities.
Rutsiro’s Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Affairs, Emmanuel Uwizeyimana, expressed optimism about the impact of the project on local agriculture and livelihoods.
“This marks a significant step forward in our district’s efforts to fight land degradation and enhance agricultural productivity. The MuLaKiLa Project, through its focus on sustainable practices, job creation and partnerships, will uplift thousands of smallholder farmers in Rutsiro by giving them what they need to thrive.”
Astherie Nyiraminani, a community member who received terraces established by ARCOS under the MuLaKiLa Project expressed their gratitude, saying, “Thanks to this project we now hope to have productive terraces that protect our land from erosion. The lime, manure, and seeds we received will truly transform our farms. I am hopeful that this support will improve my family’s food security and increase our income.”
The MuLaKiLa Project aligns with Rwanda’s broader efforts to combat environmental degradation, enhance food security, and support economic development. Through this initiative, ARCOS and its partners are actively working to create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural landscape in Rwanda while making a significant contribution to the global carbon reduction agenda.
The project’s multifaceted approach includes providing direct support to farmers by supplying manure, lime, and seeds to beneficiaries of the terraces. By combining modern agricultural practices with ecological restoration, the initiative aims to promote food security and economic stability in the region.
With the official start of Agriculture Season A 2025, farmers in Rutsiro are poised to benefit from these innovative measures, contributing to the region’s long-term sustainability and resilience
