Kicukiro: APEFA, Minagri introduce a Model Orchard program and Five Fruit Trees per household

APEFA Non-Government Organisation in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, has launched Five fruit trees per Household and a Model fruit Orchard Initiative.

The event took place in Kicukiro District, City of Kigali on the 30th of November 2024, to contribute to horticulture promotion, combat malnutrition, and increase household income by cultivating fruit trees. This initiative will also support climate resilience and sustainable agriculture and contribute to GBV prevention by increasing household income, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, has said.

“You know that about 32% of children are stunted, and we want tree planting to support children’s nutrition, while also exporting fruits abroad. Additionally, we are facing the effects of climate change, trees help fight desertification, making rain possible, they retain the soil to prevent erosion, and they ensure that the yield is abundant. I commend APEFA; this organization is responsible for monitoring these trees across the country, but they have other important partners as well.” He noted.

Habanabakize Protais, APEFA Programs Director, highlighted that the program will focus on rural areas where five fruit trees will be planted for each household and in secondary cities where each city will be allocated at least two hectares of model fruit orchard.

This fruit orchard will be provided with all the necessary equipment to provide knowledge and good agronomic practices on fruit cultivation. It will have technicians to maintain it on a daily basis and irrigation facilities.

CECI (Centre d’Etude et de Coopération Internationale) Country Representative, Olive Ingabire Zimurinda, said the organization’s goals are to contribute to sustainable development, focusing on various components such as environmental protection, and promoting productive agriculture.

“In collaboration with APEFA, we are committed to strengthening this initiative of planting five trees for each family. We also urge other stakeholders to join forces so that it can be fruitful.” She said.

CECI Rwanda in partnership with APEFA and other stakeholders, will celebrate International Volunteer Day (IVD) on December 5, 2024.

The celebration will bring together volunteers, community members, and partners to exchange experiences, foster collaboration, and celebrate collective efforts in driving sustainable development.

In alignment with the global recognition of IVD, CECI Rwanda honors the significant contributions of volunteers to sustainable development.

Established by the UN General Assembly under Resolution 40/212 on December 17, 1985, IVD is an opportunity to highlight the impact of volunteerism, share core values, and engage with diverse stakeholders, including NGOs, UN agencies, government authorities, and the private sector.

The global theme for this year is “Inspiration in Action,” while Rwanda’s national theme is “Volunteerism in Rwanda: Unlocking Solutions.”

This year’s activities will also align with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), under the theme: “Towards 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration: Unite to End Violence against Women.” The campaign’s focus in Rwanda will be: “A Family Free from GBV” (in Kinyarwanda: “Umuryango uzira Ihohoterwa”).