A New Season of Hope for Farmers in Rulindo and Rutsiro
For years, farmers in Rwanda’s Rulindo and Rutsiro districts lived at the mercy of the weather. When rains delayed or ended too soon, crops failed, harvests dwindled, and household incomes suffered. As climate change intensified these challenges, many farmers struggled to produce enough food and earn a reliable living.
To help communities adapt, ARCOS, with support from the Danish Outdoor Council (DOC) through CISU, implemented the Climate Change Adaptation Modality (CCAM) Project. The project was designed to strengthen climate resilience through climate-smart agriculture, ecosystem restoration, environmental education, and sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Among its most transformative achievements was the construction of two irrigation systems, one in Rulindo District and another in Rutsiro District.
By providing reliable access to water, the systems reduced farmers’ dependence on increasingly unpredictable rainfall and enabled year-round cultivation.
Alongside the irrigation infrastructure, farmers received improved seeds, agricultural inputs, and training in climate-smart farming practices.
“The irrigation systems established in Rulindo and Rutsiro are more than physical infrastructure; they are lifelines for communities that previously depended entirely on unreliable rainfall. Today, farmers can grow crops throughout the year and plan their farming activities with greater confidence,” says Marie Eudoxie Ishimwe, Project Manager of the CCAM Project.
For Bambuzurwaho Lazarus, a farmer from Mushonyi Sector in Rutsiro District, the project has been life changing.
Before the installation of the gravity-fed irrigation system, his farming activities were largely dependent on rainfall, making every season uncertain. Today, he grows cabbages and other vegetables throughout the year and has seen a remarkable increase in both production and income. From a single harvest, he earned RWF 450,000, compared to about RWF 100,000 in previous seasons.
“The project changed the way we farm. We received quality seeds, learned climate-smart farming techniques, and gained access to irrigation. Even during dry periods, our crops remain healthy,” says Razaro.
“For many years, we farmed with fear because we depended entirely on rain. Now, I have water when I need it. My harvests are better, my income has increased, and I can support my family’s needs with confidence.”
Stories like Lazarus’ can be found across the project’s intervention areas. Through local Friends of Nature Associations, farmers have learned how to improve soil fertility, conserve water, diversify crops, and adopt sustainable farming techniques that increase productivity while protecting natural resources.
The project has also supported ecosystem restoration efforts and environmental education through the Eco-Schools approach, helping communities and students become active participants in climate action and sustainable resource management.
According to Marie Eudoxie Ishimwe, the project’s success lies in its integrated approach.
“The CCAM Project was designed to help communities move beyond simply coping with climate change to actively building resilience. By combining irrigation infrastructure, climate-smart agriculture training, improved seeds, and ecosystem restoration, we have enabled farmers to produce more food, increase their incomes, and better prepare for future climate challenges.”
Today, the green fields of Rulindo and Rutsiro stand as a testament to what is possible when communities are equipped with the right tools, knowledge, and support. Where uncertainty once prevailed, farmers are harvesting not only healthier crops but also greater confidence in the future.
“What we are witnessing is not only increased agricultural production but also strengthened resilience. Communities are becoming more confident, more self-reliant, and better equipped to face the impacts of climate change,” concludes Marie Eudoxie Ishimwe.
About The Author
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
