Vedaste Ntezimana, a pineapple farmer from Musange Sector in Nyamagabe District

The Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP) is redefining the future of farming in Rwanda. By providing small-scale irrigation systems to farmers across the country, the project is enabling year-round crop production, boosting agricultural productivity, and building resilience against climate change.

Implemented under the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), SAIP currently operates in 20 districts. Its mission is to enhance agricultural productivity, improve market access, and strengthen food security for targeted beneficiaries.

A cornerstone of the project is the Irrigation and Water Use Efficiency component. To date, 3,369 farmers—including 1,916 men and 1,453 women—have received irrigation equipment through SAIP’s support. These systems have drastically improved access to water, allowing farmers in formerly rain-dependent areas to cultivate crops throughout the year. As a result, communities are witnessing a transformation from subsistence farming to sustainable, market-oriented agriculture.

One of the project’s success stories is Vedaste Ntezimana, a pineapple farmer from Musange Sector in Nyamagabe District. Vedaste cultivates pineapples on 3.5 hectares and received an irrigation system through SAIP’s matching grant program, valued at 7,793,583 Rwandan Francs, with a 50% personal contribution. The package included a diesel-powered pump, irrigation pipes, a 120m³ dam sheet, water tanks, and a hydrant—allowing him to efficiently irrigate his hillside plantation.

Vedaste recalls that in 2024, when SAIP launched a new round of support, RAB-SPIU staff mobilized and educated him on the benefits of irrigation and the matching grant opportunities available. Since installing the system, his pineapple yields have doubled. He now harvests between 1,000 and 1,500 pineapples every two weeks, over a six-month harvesting period.

“The quality and quantity of my harvests have improved significantly compared to farmers who still rely on rainfall,” says Vedaste. “The irrigation system has changed everything for me.”

While Vedaste is optimistic about expanding his farm from 3.5 to 10 hectares, he notes that the high cost of diesel remains a barrier. He hopes to secure future support from SAIP through a matching grant to install a solar-powered irrigation system, which would reduce his operating costs and support sustainable energy use.

Another challenge Vedaste highlights is the lack of large-scale buyers in the region. Without agro-processing facilities—such as a pineapple juice factory—farmers are forced to sell to individual retailers at low prices. He believes that investing in agro-processing infrastructure would significantly increase the value and profitability of their harvests.

Despite these challenges, the economic impact of irrigation on Vedaste’s life has been profound. Profits from his farm enabled him to purchase a 6 million Rwandan Franc plot in Nyamagabe town and build a modern home—an achievement he once thought unattainable.

“These are life-changing milestones I never imagined reaching through agriculture,” he says.

Vedaste’s success has extended beyond his household. He currently employs 20 permanent staff on his farm, providing stable jobs and improving the livelihoods of others in his community.

SAIP is funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) through the World Bank. By equipping farmers with the tools and technologies needed to thrive amid climate challenges, the project is not only improving individual livelihoods but also paving the way for a more resilient and food-secure Rwanda.