Nyamagabe farmers boost pineapple yields through SAIP support
By Elias HAKIZIMANA.
Pineapple farmers in Nyamagabe District are seeing tangible results from the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP2), as training, technology, and peer learning help transform small-scale farms into higher-yielding, income-generating enterprises.
Vedaste Musangabatware, a farmer in Musange Sector, has expanded his pineapple farm from two hectares to 3.5 hectares, citing SAIP’s technical and financial support as key to the transformation.
Musangabatware is among the beneficiaries who received damsheets from SAIP to support water harvesting for irrigation. While the facility was primarily intended to store water for his pineapple plantation, he innovatively expanded its use by introducing fish farming, turning it into a dual-purpose investment.
“The damsheet was meant to help me store water for irrigation, but I saw an opportunity to do more,” Vedaste said. “By raising fish in it, the water becomes naturally fertilized, and when I use it on my pineapples, it boosts productivity.”
Vedaste also received a matching grant of over Rwf4.5 million, covering 50% of the cost of installing a modern irrigation system, while he contributed the remaining 50% from his own resources.
“I harvest in three seasons instead of the usual two, and individual pineapples now weigh four to five kilograms. Prices have risen from Rwf300 to between Rwf800 and 1,000 per fruit. With irrigation, I plan to earn Rwf300,000 per season from my pineapples, up from Rwf100,000 before.” He added.
His yields have increased from one ton to three tons per harvest, demonstrating the financial and technical gains of the project.
At the knowledge and experience-sharing sessions in Nyamagabe District, then Vice Mayor in charge of Economic Development, Habimana Thaddée, encouraged farmers to sustain these achievements.
“I thank the SAIP project for supporting our farmers. As the project nears completion, I urge you to maintain and protect these gains — your pineapple and avocado farms, chickens, and vegetables have improved nutrition and incomes,” he said.
“Share your knowledge with neighbors, because development does not happen in isolation. Together, we can combat malnutrition and boost household wealth across all sectors.”
Vice Mayor Habimana also praised the government of Rwanda, President Paul Kagame, and SAIP partners for empowering citizens through modern, market-oriented agriculture. Farmers received technical training, seedlings, vegetables, and small livestock, which have improved household nutrition, reduced malnutrition, and increased income.
“These knowledge-sharing sessions create ownership. Farmers become champions who can teach others, work with microfinance institutions, and scale up impacts across the district,” Habimana added.
For Musangabatware and other beneficiaries, the combination of innovative practices, financial support, and continuous learning is transforming pineapple farming into a profitable and sustainable venture, demonstrating SAIP2’s role in rural economic development.
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