For years, violent rains and prolonged dry spells spelled disaster across Kabeza Village, Ruramira Sector of Kayonza District. Every downpour stripped the steep slopes bare, sweeping valuable topsoil, fertilizer, and seeds straight down into the marshlands below.

"We used to cultivate, but we harvested next to nothing," recalls Théogène Manirakiza, a local farmer and Farmer Field School Faciliatator. "Rainfall would wash away the soil and our fertilizers into the valleys. On a 50-meter by 50-meter plot where I planted five kilograms of maize seed, I struggled to even harvest 30 kilograms."

Today, that vulnerability is being replaced by resilience. Through the Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project Phase II (KIIWP2), large-scale civil works and climate-smart farming have transformed the drought-prone Eastern Province, turning once-eroded hillsides into lush, food-secure fields.

Healing the Catchments

The turnaround on Théogène’s land reflects a massive regional effort. To safeguard vulnerable agricultural zones, KIIWP2 is rehabilitating 8,725 hectares of catchments while developing 6,385 hectares of irrigated farmland.

Across the district, terraces and contour trenches lock moisture and nutrients firmly in place. On Théogène’s plot, the impact was instantaneous: the same five kilograms of seed that once produced a meager 30 kilograms now yields over 200 kilograms—a more than sixfold jump.

Down in the valleys, farmers who once saw their crops buried under runoff now farm peacefully, protected from silt and uncontrolled flash floods. Across the project area, more than 45,500 households have embraced climate-resilient practices, with nearly 15,000 reporting direct productivity surges.

More Than Just Terraces

The transformation extends far beyond soil retention. Agroforestry trees planted along terrace embankments provide fallen leaves that naturally fertilize the earth, while pruned foliage supplies high-protein fodder for livestock.

"When we feed these leaves to our cows alongside regular grasses, milk production goes up," Théogène explains. "We also prune firewood to cook at home and sell the extra, bringing in clean income without destroying surrounding forests."

To turn these agricultural gains into long-term wealth, KIIWP2 has prioritized commercialization and financial inclusion—linking 55 producer groups to formal markets and connecting over 20,000 households to rural financial services.

For Théogène, joining a weekly savings group (itsinda) with a 500 Frw contribution changed everything. Channeling his surplus farm profits into pooled savings, he invested with strict purpose. Today, he owns three dairy cows, five goats, and has bought new farmland worth over 6.5 million Frw.

A Lasting Legacy

Théogène’s journey mirrors KIIWP2’s broader target: lifting over 35,000 households into higher income brackets and creating more than 7,600 rural jobs.

Now serving as a Farmer Field School Facilitator (umufashamyumvire mu ishuri ry’ubuhinzi), he trains his neighbours and fellow farmers to properly apply organic manure, preserve hillside trees, and plan their household finances. At home, his children attend school with all fees paid, his family enjoys regular, nutritious meals, and he is actively plastering his house with modern finishes.

"I have nothing to complain about," Théogène says, looking across the stabilized hills. "Our children are well-fed, our land is protected, and our future is secure. All we ask is that the KIIWP2 keeps training us so our knowledge continues to grow."

KIIWP2 is an IFAD-funded project implemented under the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). 

KIIWP2 is transforming agriculture and livelihoods in Rwanda’s Eastern Province by reaching 67,138 households (302,121 people) through investments in irrigation, watershed restoration, climate-smart agriculture, agribusiness development, and institutional strengthening. The project targets 117,174 direct beneficiaries, with a strong focus on women and youth inclusion.