THE PROBLEM
Most of Rwanda’s 3.9 million full-time farmers and their families are subsistence level and rainfall-dependent. Demanding work that produces just enough to feed themselves leaves little surplus for sale, and few savings. Climate-change driven unpredictable weather, flooding and erosion mean harvests are increasingly unreliable, leaving the poorest rural communities facing more poverty and shrinking opportunities.
THE SOLUTION
RDI is a youth and agriculture development organization which has aim of transforming subsistence agriculture into market-oriented agriculture through training and market connections for smallholder farmers, effectively protecting them from price shocks while increasing their profits.
WHY RDI?
We are a youth and agriculture NGO, working in highly vulnerable rural communities to expand livelihood opportunities and support the transition of smallholder farmers to profitable market agriculture. 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.
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.
Inputs financing
More than just training- 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
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 Partners
Impact we have made
Since its inception, RDI has been striving to improve the livelihoods of rural communities in Rwanda through volunteer projects designed to improve agriculture practices and agribusiness within the state, create standardized implementation practices for new technologies, and introduce farmer field schools for populations with the greatest need.
Members recruited in Youth Agribusiness community
Youth attracted in agriculture festival over 4 years
Groups representing 1800 farmers trained
Farmers helped to gain access to markets
Awards
