"Partner Afrika" Project (PAP) Rwanda

About 70 % of Rwanda's working population is engaged in agriculture. Coffee is an important export product, but the cultivation of flowers and vegetables, as well as food processing for the local and international market also promise good potential. Many of these products are already grown organically, but most farmers do not have internationally recognized certification because the costs are too high, especially for smallholders. The high population density and -growth rate lead to a shortage of land and thus to a more intensive use of the available farmland. Deforestation and the effects of climate change with weather extremes such as droughts and heavy rains are exacerbating soil depletion and erosion.

The overall goal of the project is to improve Rwanda's economic, social and environmental development by expanding organic agriculture in the country. To achieve this, the project partners are strengthening the umbrella organization "Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement" (ROAM). In order to control soil erosion and restore soil fertility, Naturland and ROAM plan to cooperate in the expansion of organic agroforestry systems.

Four key results are expected from the project:

• ROAM is qualified as a service provider for the training and extension network, which supports farmers in converting their production to organic standards and introducing organic agroforestry systems. For this purpose, ROAM organizes training programs and educates trainers and extension agents (including 35% women).
• In a pilot phase, the Ejo Heza women's group of the KOPAKAMA cooperative is prepared for organic certification. Practices of sustainable agroforestry are implemented by over 400 member farms. In the agroforestry system, export products such as coffee are grown alongside products for home consumption and for the local market. As a result, the farmers are better able to provide for their families.
• The project partners creat favourable conditions for the further development of the local organic market. Seven PGS groups (Participatory Guaranty System) with a total of 300 participating farmers - supported by the project partners - are functional at the end of the project.
• ROAM contributes to a policy environment conducive to the development of organic agriculture in Rwanda. Staff training and a newly developed advocacy strategy enable ROAM to better represent its members' perspectives vis-à-vis policy makers and the public.

Duration: 2022 – 2025 (3 years)

Naturland is implementing this project in partnership with ROAM (Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement), with a particular focus on the women's group Ejo Heza in the KOPAKAMA cooperative (Karongi district, Rwanda).