The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has officially launched a $47 million (about Rwf69 billion) irrigation project in Gisagara District that is expected to provide irrigation services to more than 2,600 hectares of farmland.
The project, being implemented by the Ministry in partnership with the Government of China, is designed to promote modern and productive agriculture that is less dependent on rainfall, while increasing food production and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
Known as the Giseke Irrigation Project, the initiative will include the construction of a reservoir with a capacity of 6.5 million cubic metres of water and modern irrigation infrastructure covering nearly 2,670 hectares of agricultural land.
Speaking at the project’s launch, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Dr Thelesphore Ndabamenye called on farmers and cooperatives to play an active role in managing and sustainably using the infrastructure being developed.
He urged farmers to use water efficiently, protect the infrastructure and adopt modern farming practices that are oriented towards markets.
Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Gao Wenqi said the Giseke project represents a tangible outcome of cooperation between Rwanda and China, as well as broader cooperation among developing countries focused on agricultural development.
The project’s overall infrastructure will cover about 3,000 hectares and include an irrigation network stretching 48.8 kilometres.
The project will serve farmers in Ndora, Save, Musha, Gishubi and Mamba sectors in Gisagara District.
The irrigation system is expected to help farmers reduce their reliance on rainfall, increase agricultural productivity and achieve more reliable harvests throughout the year.
The project is also expected to increase farmers’ incomes, create employment opportunities, add value to agricultural products and improve access to markets, supporting the transition towards more commercially oriented agriculture.
