When RDI started as a volunteer organisation in 2011, we asked remote rural farmers about their biggest challenges. They told us they struggle to generate meaningful incomes; to grow enough to sell; to access fair markets. RDI was born of a desire to help empower rural families and communities to thrive. That first year RDI was recognized by the United Nations Volunteers Rwanda & Rwandan Ministry of Youth with their joint Volunteer of the Year Award, and there’s been no looking back!

We work hard supporting rural Rwandans to transition to market-oriented agriculture and related trades and production through the trainings and tools we provide, and the links we create between smallholder farmers and markets. We help build resilience and profits in place of instability and insufficiency. RDI targets extremely rural and very small-scale farmers, using principles of cooperation and self-help. We call our approach the “Smallholder Farmer Commercialization Model”, which tailors technical and marketing training and inputs for sustainable solutions to problems our beneficiaries identify with the help of our experts.

RDI trains and supports agriculturalists in sustainable, climate adaptive agriculture, agro-forestry to address climate change impacts, and diversification in the agriculture value-chain, linking farmers with markets to support the transition from subsistence to abundance.

We design and implement field-based programs. Our field officers deliver trainings in agricultural adaptation and innovation, including sustainable fertilization and irrigation methods, and in agroforestry, to address climate change impacts. RDI also sources, and provides or facilitates access to material inputs including improved seeds, does marketing skills training, and acts as a liaison between farmers and wholesale buyers, finding fair market buyers and helping negotiate contracts.

As a local organization, RDI works with support from international and national donors and funders. Our agronomists, foresters and agribusiness trainers work directly with rural Rwandan farmers, often grouped into cooperatives. Via field-schools, input support, and hands-on practicums, beneficiaries in vulnerable communities are empowered to enhance agricultural production and sales, and access more diverse rural livelihood possibilities related to agriculture.