Kigali, 18 August 2025 | The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Rwanda have formalized a partnership through a Letter of Agreement (LoA) that promises to significantly empower smallholder farmers in Rwanda through sustainable agricultural mechanization and conservation agriculture (SAM-CA).
With a shared vision for sustainable agricultural development, the collaboration will focus on providing farmers with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to thrive in a changing agricultural landscape, promote environmentally sound practices, and enhance agricultural productivity, thus fostering economic growth within rural communities.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr. Olusegun Yerokun stated that the agreement enhances RICA’s mission to impact the lives of smallholder farmers in Rwanda. “We are glad we can partner in this project, because then we get to train more farmers to improve their ways of production, and it links with our Conservation Agriculture approach, which we believe leads to better soil health and improved productivity,” said Dr. Yerokun.
Leveraging the Power of Farmer Field Schools: A Hands-On Approach
At the heart of this initiative lies the Farmer Field School (FFS) approach: a participatory, hands-on learning method that empowers farmers to become experts in their own fields. Through FFS, farmers learn by doing, experimenting, and sharing knowledge with their peers. The signed LoA leverages the FFS model to disseminate knowledge on Sustainable Agriculture Mechanization and Conservation Agriculture practices (SAM-CA) for small-scale producers, aiming to revolutionize agricultural practices and improve productivity.
FAO Rwanda Country Director, Dr. Nomanthema Mhalanga, highlighted that the FFS approach is the organization’s flagship program for training farmers, regardless of their educational background. Recognizing RICA’s distinctive academic program and practical expertise, she noted that joining forces with RICA creates a strong foundation for advancing agricultural mechanization and conservation agriculture, as it harnesses the strengths of both organizations, paving the way for innovative solutions and shared success in supporting Rwanda’s farmers.
Dr. Mhalanga emphasized the strategic fit between the two organizations, stating, “This makes RICA an ideal partner for co-developing a customized training for sustainable agricultural mechanization using a farmer field school approach.” She added, “RICA’s leadership in agricultural education program and FAO’s technical expertise are coming together to co-create a strong platform to promote sustainable agricultural mechanization in Rwanda.”
RICA will train FFS facilitators, extension workers, and farmer organizations, creating a network of expertise that will cascade down to individual farmers. By empowering farmers with practical skills and knowledge, the FFS approach ensures that they are equipped to adopt sustainable practices tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
Building Sustainable Businesses and Thriving Communities
Beyond technical training, the LoA recognizes the importance of economic sustainability. A key component of the project is to support the establishment and nurturing of SAM businesses. RICA will provide beneficiaries with training in business development and management, helping them create viable and profitable mechanization hire services.
This will create new income-generating opportunities and foster economic independence. The emphasis on knowledge sharing, capacity building, and business development will ensure that the benefits of this initiative are sustainable and long-lasting, creating a brighter future for Rwandan farmers and their communities. The pilot phase of the project will be implemented in Bugesera, Kirehe, and Gatsibo Districts, located within the Eastern Province.
