Nyabihu District, Western Province —In the sectors of Kabatwa and Jenda, a 22-year-old young female farmer, Nzayinambaho Cherine, is demonstrating how determination and innovation can transform challenges into success. A dedicated tree tomato farmer, Cherine once struggled to access markets due to lack of reliable transportation — a barrier that often resulted in significant post-harvest losses.

Her journey took a positive turn after receiving support through the Commercialization and De-Risking for Agricultural Transformation (CDAT) Project, funded by the World Bank and implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB) through its Single Project Implementation Unit (SPIU). Through the CDAT Matching Grant, Cherine acquired a transport truck specifically for carrying fruits and vegetables, ensuring efficient, safe, and timely access to markets.

Under the Matching Grant arrangement, the project provided RWF 32,450,000, representing 50% of the total investment, while Cherine contributed the remaining amount from her own resources.

Today, Cherine collects and supplies tree tomatoes sourced from a combined 6 hectare-land including 1 hectare of her own farmland, 2 hectares rented from neighboring farmers, and produce from an additional 3 hectares supplied by surrounding smallholder farmers whose harvest is aggregated for market distribution.

Before purchasing the truck, Cherine faced serious transportation challenges. Tree tomatoes — known for their fragility — were often transported together with other crops, resulting in bruising, spoilage, and reduced quality upon arrival at the market.

“Before, our fruits would get damaged on the way because they were transported together with other crops,” Cherine recalls. “By the time they reached the market, they had lost freshness, and buyers would reject them. But now, with my own truck, we transport them properly and on time.”

The transport truck has not only enhanced the efficiency of her business operations but has also created a positive ripple effect within the community. Local farmers and traders, who previously lacked affordable transport options, now benefit from improved and easier access to markets. Cherine currently supplies approximately 12 tons of fruits per month, and her post-harvest losses have significantly declined.

Beyond boosting productivity, Cherine is contributing to job creation. She employs six permanent staff and hires more than 50 casual laborers during peak harvesting seasons, providing economic opportunities for youth and families in her community.

Cherine’s remarkable transformation is a strong testament on how the CDAT Project is empowering young agripreneurs through reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening agricultural value chains, and driving rural economic transformation across Rwanda.