Completed Project

Improved Health, Protection & Resilience of Communities & Ecosystem through One Health Promotion (IRCO)

Project Overview

A One Health-based project enhancing health, protection, and resilience of communities and ecosystems near Nyungwe and Akagera parks through sustainable beekeeping and reforestation.

Detailed Description

The project implemented a One Health approach to strengthen biosecurity awareness, promote sustainable livelihoods, improve forest and soil restoration, and expand community financial resilience via VSLAs and SACCO linkages.

Project Information

Location

Nyungwe and Akagera National Parks (Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, and Kayonza Districts)

Beneficiaries

6,000 individuals; 13 beekeeping cooperatives

Timeline

January 1, 2022 - April 1, 2025

Budget

$120,000.00

Project Objectives

Promote One Health approach for sustainable community and ecosystem resilience

Strengthen food production and biosecurity awareness

Support beekeeping and environmental restoration
Achievements:

28 hectares of forest restored

84,000 agroforestry trees planted

14 VSLAs saved 22.5M RWF

11 beekeeping cooperatives received 19.5M RWF in SACCO loans

Distributed fruit trees for nutrition and environmental protection

Key Achievements

- ARDI contributed to forest restoration efforts across Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, and Kayonza districts. In total, 28 hectares of forest were planted 9 hectares in Nyaruguru, 11 hectares in Kayonza, and 6 hectares in Nyamagabe District. These reforestation activities aim to promote environmental protection, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen community resilience to climate change;
- Restoring the degraded soil through integrating agroforestry trees; 84000 plants of agroforestry trees distributed and planted;
- 14 operational VSLA established which saved and share annually a total amount equal to 22,555,031 Frws as an internal credit;
- 11 beekeeping cooperatives supported from SACCOs where 19,500,000 Frws distributed as loan to those beekeeping cooperatives; those amount were invested in beekeeping modern beekeeping;
- Distribution of fruit trees to peoples in extreme poverty of Nyaruguru , Nyamagabe and Kayonza to protect environment ; provide pollen and nectar to bees and provide fruits to fight against mal nutrition and income.