poverty-reduction-agricultural-value-chains
This initiative enhanced cooperative functioning, strengthened managerial and technical capacities, promoted beekeeping, and advanced sustainable agriculture. It involved youth and women in entrepreneurship, linked cooperatives to MFIs, and conducted applied research to boost honey and maize production.
Southern Province – Kamonyi, Muhanga, Ruhango, Nyanza, Huye, Nyamagabe, and Gisagara
28 beekeeping cooperatives (838 members), 2 agricultural cooperatives (1,040 members), 100 vulnerable households (total ? 8,037 people)
January 1, 2022 - April 10, 2025
$140,000.00
Improve cooperative functioning
Strengthen IGA and VSLA capacities
Promote sustainable agriculture and beekeeping
Increase household income and market access
Achievements:
40 beekeeping cooperatives produced 51,720 kg honey & 1,057 kg wax (income: 208M RWF)
Cooperative revenue increased 25.5% (42.5M RWF)
2 maize cooperatives sold 239 tons to EAX
Identified high-performing maize (WH507) & soybean (SO102) varieties
Strengthened youth and women’s participation in beekeeping
The project directly supported 1978 households (from agro and beekeeping cooperatives), reaching approximately 8,037 individuals. In which Youth and women were specifically targeted to increase the number of youth and women who earn income through beekeeping, agricultural activities, IGAs etc . The majority of women trained on processing of honey and bee-byproducts invested in api-business and in-turn earn income from beekeeping. In Nyanza and Muhanga there are 2 cooperatives consist of women beekeepers and process honey and beeswax products such as candles and cream cosmetics from bee wax and propolis tincture.
In Huye, ARDI created 2 beekeeper’s cooperatives that consisting of youth professionals invested in beekeeping as their day-to-day job. In addition, working with the youth and women allowed ARDI to increase the quality and quantity of honey produced.
Through the value chains forum of actors; 2 agriculture cooperatives negotiated contract for their maize production. In 2024 the Negotiations led to the signing of a contract between the two cooperatives KOABIRWIKI and KOAGIMPA and the company EAX for the purchase of 239 tons of maize at a price of 350 Frw/kg (191 tons for KOAGIMPA in Huye and 48 tons for KOABIRWIKI.
28 beekeeping a total production of 51,720 kg of honey and 1,057 kg of wax was achieved by the 40 supported beekeeping cooperatives. This production generated a total income of 208,994,000 Rwandan Francs (Frw) for the beekeepers. The cooperatives recorded a 25.55% increase in revenue, equivalent to 42,528,000 Frw, compared to the previous year (2023), when the income was 166,466,000 Frw.
At the Tonga research site in Huye, agricultural trials made in 2024 we identified two high-performing crop varieties: WH507 for maize and SO102 for soybean cultivation. For fodder production, the Pennissetum purpureum variety demonstrated superior productivity and was notably preferred by livestock breeders over other forage species. The research process actively engaged nearby farmers through field visits and participatory learning. As a result, their practical knowledge was enhanced, and the adoption of improved techniques and high-performing varieties was successfully recorded