In Mugombwa, Rwanda, a new project is helping young farmers in refugee camps and nearby communities improve their lives. The work will focus on empowering young people, women, and marginalised groups by boosting agricultural production and creating sustainable jobs.
The project is centred on chilli and poultry farming, which have great potential to provide income and opportunities. Farmers are being trained to increase their harvests, use solar-powered irrigation systems, and connect with reliable markets to sell their products. By doing so, they will be better equipped to cope with climate change, maintain the quality of their soil and able to make long term business decisions safe in the knowledge that they will have a reliable harvest.
“This project is more than just an agricultural intervention,” said Denyse Umubyeyi, Rwanda’s Country Director for Practical Action. “It’s about equipping young farmers with the tools and skills to create better futures for themselves and their communities, fostering resilience and economic inclusion along the way. We have focused on chilli and chicken as value chains, not only because they are tasty, but because they offer farmers fantastic opportunity to enter a vibrant market with plenty of demand and grow their income quickly.”
Known as the Farm to Market for Refugee Youth (F2MARY) project, Practical Action staff working on the programme will also work to remove barriers that have kept vulnerable groups from earning a living in agriculture. By partnering with government agencies, private businesses, and development organisations, the project is creating a strong network to support these farmers.
Over three years, farmers working with Practical Action will:
- Improve 30 hectares of farmland with 10 hectares upgraded each year with solar-powered irrigation and improved farming methods
- 2,000 young people will gain long-term jobs via chilli and poultry farming
- Have better access to financial services, market information, and business development support.
The project’s larger goal is to make markets more accessible, improve financial results, and encourage more young farmers to take part in agriculture. And to reduce unemployment amongst young people in the south of the country, where it is more of a problem.
These changes will strengthen food security and lift entire communities, creating lasting economic growth.
As the project moves forward, farmers in Mugombwa are gaining hope for a better future, where farming becomes a way to create opportunities and build stronger communities. The project is being rolled out in close collaboration with Rwandan government entities like MINEMA, MINAGRI, and the Rwanda Agriculture Board, as well as private sector partners, farmer cooperatives, and financial institutions. This ecosystem of partnerships ensures that the project is focused on meeting local needs and solutions are locally grounded and have the potential to be taken to scale nationally.
Practical Action is proud to announce the start of the F2MARY Project in Rwanda, an innovative initiative designed to empower vulnerable young farmers in Mugombwa refugee camp and host community by enhancing their production capabilities and access to inclusive agricultural markets.
The project focuses on improving chilli and poultry production and creating sustainable livelihoods for youth, women, and marginalised populations, including people living with disabilities. Building on an in-depth understanding of local contexts and the Rwandan agricultural value chain, F2MARY aims to address systemic barriers and drive inclusive economic growth.
Project Objectives
- Boost Production and Productivity: Increase chilli and poultry yields among young farmers in refugee camp and host community.
- Ensure Inclusive Market Access: Open market opportunities for young farmers and producers living with disabilities, fostering equitable participation in chilli and poultry value chains.
Strategic Interventions
- The project leverages two key value chains—chilli and poultry—supported by a robust pathway of change. Our approach includes:
- Capacity Building: Strengthening the technical and business skills of poultry farmers to improve productivity and farm resilience. Farmers will also gain access to high-quality inputs, off-takers, and new market opportunities.
- Chilli Production Support: Empowering smallholder chilli farmers with improved extension services, solar-powered irrigation systems, and reliable market linkages to boost production and incomes.
Collaborative Partnerships
The F2MARY Project will be implemented in close collaboration with local and national stakeholders, including:
- Government entities such as local authorities, the Ministry in charge of emergency management (MINEMA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), and the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB).
- Private sector actors, including farmer cooperatives, input suppliers, and exporters.
- Local consultants, financial institutions, and development organisations.
Key Project Goals
- Improve 30 hectares of land over three years, with 10 hectares solar-powered and irrigated annually.
- Create sustainable employment for 2,000 youth, fully integrated into chilli and poultry value chains.
Anticipated Outcomes
Long-Term Outcomes:
- Resilient agricultural production and services for chilli and poultry.
- Enhanced market inclusivity and financial performance in supported value chains.
- Greater economic engagement of youth in agriculture.
Intermediate Outcomes:
- Increased participation of young vulnerable farmers in value chains.
- Expanded access to financial services, market information, and business development support.
- Strengthened investment and capacity among inclusive market actors.
We believe that the F2MARY Project will not only improve agricultural productivity but also transform the lives of thousands of young people, creating resilient and inclusive communities in Rwanda. Shape
About Practical Action:
Practical Action is an international development organisation that uses technology to challenge poverty in developing countries. We work with poor communities to develop innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions that improve access to clean water, enhance food security, and reduce vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
For more information, please contact:
Dami Ahmed (Senior PR Officer at Practical Action) – [email protected]