WHO WE ARE
We are a passionate team of small farmer advocates working in a primarily rural country where most households – up to 78%- grow some crops. RDI began in 2011 as a volunteer organization of agricultural students to serve vulnerable smallholders. Since 2013 as a local NGO, RDI has focused on youth and agricultural development in remote rural areas of Rwanda, to support the transition of subsistence farmers to profitable market agriculture and expand rural livelihood opportunities. With around 4 million Rwandans (almost 30% of the entire population) between ages 15-30, we believe that prioritizing youth in our programs is crucial for a flourishing rural future.
WHAT WE DO
RDI programs deliver knowledge, skills, innovative practices and materials to support reliable, higher production; help secure connections to fair-market buyers; and nurture diverse opportunities for Rwanda’s small-holder farmers and rural communities.
THE PROBLEM
For most of Rwanda’s 4 million full-time, subsistence level, rainfall-dependent farmers and their families, agriculture means back-breaking labour using hand-tools like machetes and shovels. Season after season they are lucky to grow enough to feed themselves; rarely is there surplus to sell or the possibility for savings. With climate-change driven unpredictable weather, flooding and erosion, harvests are increasingly unreliable, leaving the poorest rural communities facing more poverty and shrinking opportunities.
THE SOLUTION
Rwanda’s subsistence growers need support to transition to climate-adaptive, market-oriented farming and diverse livelihood possibilities across the agriculture value-chain: meaning from seed to stewing pot and everything in between. Targeted help will empower them to sustainably and profitably grow, sell, transform, transport & package a wider variety of climate-resilient crops, fruits and vegetables.
Climate-Smart Training: From Seeds to Soil to Sales
Our modular, field-based educational approach means lasting learning outcomes at every step; our trainings address all aspects of the value chain, from seeds and labour to wholesaling and consumers.
Crops to Market
More than just schooling, at RDI we work to connect farmers to favourable markets; our trainings enable them to confidently continue those connections themselves.
Rural Youth Engagement
As impassioned, market-farmer advocates we prioritize the new rural generation in all our programs, to build the capacity of youth across the agro-food and agroforestry value chain.
Climate Change Resilience
Climate sensitive approaches cross-cut all we do. Our TerraFund agroforestry project targets environmental protection and climate-change impacts through large-scale tree-planting in very vulnerable rural locations.
Our Programs
Transitioning close to 4 million farmers from subsistence to market growing and sales is a multi-faceted undertaking. Rural Rwandans know their traditional livelihood approaches are no match for the climate challenges they face. RDI’s participatory, multi-pronged approach tackles real problems– like fields being washed away, hand-in-hand with those they most effect.
How we do it
Skills development
Equipping rural farmers with skills in modern, climate-smart agriculture to increase productivity and sustain production resources, and with the confidence and know-how to reach buyers.
Support
Enabling subsistence farmers’ access to productive tools, resources, and materials including seedlings and saplings, for increased production and income.
Access to markets
Linking farmers with fair-market, ethical buyers so their hard work brings higher earnings.
Climate Change Resilience
Unpredictable weather, flooding, and loss of arable land — RDI trains farmer groups in climate-smart planting, mulching, irrigation and fertilization techniques; our agroforestry projects aim to counter erosion, mitigate flooding, revitalize soil, sequester CO2 & create sustainable employment.
Climate-Friendly Farming 101
Courtesy of Farming First, 2016
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
Our work is positively impacting the lives of more and more women, men and families. Whether food security and nutrition, increased income or land preservation, the effects are profound. Meet some of the project participants helping RDI make real change happen for themselves, their families and their communities.
Mukamana Chantal is proud that her new job at our Rutsiro District nursery is growing trees that will ease flooding on the banks of the Muregeya River.
Uwidukaye Diane, an RDI-supported farmer, with her thriving bean crop. With only one living parent, Diane is a key
earner for her family, including three young brothers.
Our Impacts
Actions
10,496
Beneficiaries currently targeted
2396
Farmers trained
187,500
Trees to be planted 2024 – 2025
256
Trainers trained so far this year
2
Crop sales contracts signed
Results
44,000 KG
Beans and wheat sold through RDI market linkages last season
100-140%
Sale price increase per kilo for beneficiary farmers over previous season
25-30%
Yield increase per hectare for farmer beneficiaries in 2023 over previous year
251
Jobs created through RDI projects since 2023
Our Partners
Our diversity of partnerships sustains RDI’s commitment to rural development. RDI builds upon its track-record as a reliable implementing partner to operationalize meaningful initiatives.
