Once a Bank’s employee with a stable job, Nyirakaziga Anne Marie from Musha Sector, Rwamagana District, chose to follow her true passion —farming. Though her career was secure, her heart remained attracted by farming. Every planting season, she would take time off from her banking duties to work alongside her farm laborers, nurturing her crops with dedication and passion.

However, unpredictable weather and low yields from open-field farming posed constant challenges associated with huge losses. Determined to make a greater impact, Anne Marie made a bold, life-changing decision and she left her banking job to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a full-time farmer.

With a strong interest in horticulture, she envisioned a modern greenhouse enterprise focused on high-value crops such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and French beans. Just as she began planning, she heard about the Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation (CDAT) Project Matching Grant, a government initiative designed to support innovative agribusiness ventures.

Encouraged by the opportunity, Anne Marie submitted her proposal and was selected. Through the CDAT Matching Grant, she received 52 million Rwandan Francs, covering half of her total project cost. The support package included modern greenhouse kits, drip irrigation systems, water tanks, and other essential technical inputs. She financed the remaining amount through personal savings and a bank loan.

With this assistance, Anne Marie established five modern greenhouses, enabling her to grow crops in rotation and ensure consistent, year-round production.

“The grant allowed me to start strong,” she says proudly. “I didn’t have to struggle through trial and error — I had the right tools from the beginning and could focus on optimizing production.”

Unlike traditional open-field farming, Anne Marie’s greenhouse operation allows her to harvest regularly, unaffected by erratic rainfall or prolonged dry spells.

“The beauty of greenhouse farming is that you don’t stop,” she explains. “With proper care, you can harvest continuously. That means stable income, reliable supply for the market, and more opportunities to grow”. Her yields have since tripled or even quadrupled compared to what she used to produce in an open field, thanks to the controlled growing environment.

Today, Anne Marie’s farm is thriving — producing high-quality tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers that supply local markets and restaurants. Beyond the financial success, her agribusiness has become a source of inspiration for women and youth, proving that agriculture can be both purposeful and profitable.

Her farm currently has six permanent jobs and continues to expand as demand for her produce grows.

“Agriculture isn’t just for rural farmers,” Anne Marie emphasizes. “It’s a profession that can change lives. I encourage other Rwandans to take it seriously — it has a purpose, profit, and impact.”

Her success has also drawn praise from local authorities. Richard Kagabo Rwamunono, the Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development in Rwamagana District commended the CDAT Project for contribution to local agricultural growth: “the CDAT Project has helped many farmers and livestock keepers expand their businesses,” he noted. “It has created jobs, empowered women and youth, and added value to local agriculture. We commend farmers like Anne Marie for leading by example and uplifting others in the process.”