From food poverty to money in the bank in three years

22 May 2012

Winifrida Mukakigeri, 48, is a successful farmer in rural Rwimiyaga-Nyagatare, Rwanda. She has cash in the bank and big plans for the future. Just 4 years ago she struggled to feed her 11 children with the harvest from her small farming plot.

Growing support for RIU Rwanda-backed warrantage programme through fertilizer intervention

19 December 2010

In September 2010, RIU Rwanda initiated discussions with Duterimbere (the warrantage banking partner), NYAMIG (the commercial arm of the maize platform), fertilizer dealer SOPAV and some 17 maize farmers' cooperatives to look at fertilizer supply.

Potato and maize production lead the way

10 March 2010

Our priorities until 2011 are to test new ways of working and see if we can increase maize and potato production and productivity. Through our work to date we have identified a number of major bottlenecks: seed systems; access to rural finance; post harvest/value addition; and marketing and trade issues.

The DFID Review team visited RIU Rwanda

18 February 2010

The reviewers were open and positive in their approach. They were interested in listening to us and our partners in the platforms and NIC and we had a really constructive discussions.

Other developments include...

Radio comes on air

14 February 2010

We have finalized our agreement with Nyagatare Community Radio and we expect to soon sign a contract with other broadcasters for regular broadcasting of radio programs on RIU activities. Radio had been identified as one of the best way for communicating about our activities in Rwanda.

In March the Potato Platform will officially launch the 2010 'B' (rainy season: March-July) agricultural season in Gicumbi District with full media coverage through the radio.