The Future Is RICA.
Here we learn. Here we create. Here we give new meaning and value to conservation agriculture.
What is RICA?
A unique English-language institution, RICA combines research, education, and extension services to train Rwanda’s next generation of leaders in agriculture, while supporting national priorities for agricultural development.
RICA students learn the principles of conservation agriculture and One Health, with an emphasis on communications, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Students gain hands-on experience in smallholder farming, while also being exposed to six different enterprise-scale agribusinesses during their course of study. They also engage closely with local farming communities through on-site extension education and through the NASHO Irrigation Cooperative to ensure research insights are informed by local needs and knowledge is transferred to benefit local communities.
Our Pillars
Innovation
We are leading the way in experiential education, entrepreneurship and conservation agriculture.
Community
INTEGRITY
We are trusted and ethical in all our practices and services.
Impact
Innovation
We are leading the way in experiential education, entrepreneurship and conservation agriculture.
Community
We hold relationships in the highest regard and model our beliefs through service.
Integrity
We are trusted and ethical in all our practices and services.
Impact
We are a transformative partner in the lives of our students, communities, country and world.
What is Conservation Agriculture?
RICA broadly defines conservation agriculture as using the following practices:
Maintain or build soil quality/productivity by:
- Minimizing tillage and/or soil disturbance
- Maintaining soil cover (crop residues, cover crops)
- Diversifying crops through rotation and/or intercropping
Implement spatially appropriate cropping and livestock systems.
Apply nutrient inputs (organic and inorganic) based on potential for economic crop response.
Use pesticides based on economic thresholds, and only as part of an integrated pest management approach.
Irrigate based on crop water use to maximize profit and water use efficiency.
Manage crop and livestock systems to minimize environmental impacts.
Integrate livestock and crop production systems efficiently, using manure to optimize crop production and minimize environmental impact and effects on human and animal health.
Utilize by-products from livestock and crop production, including those from food processing.
Develop and promote crop and livestock systems that increase biodiversity.
What is One Health?
The concept and science of One Health recognizes that human health, animal health and ecosystem health are intertwined. RICA’s curriculum and campus are designed to facilitate students learning about these interrelationships, and how to manage crop and livestock systems to minimize detrimental effects on ecosystem, human, and animal health.
Design and preserve the One Health landscape by integrating the built and natural environments, balancing human, ecological, and animal health
Use chemical agricultural inputs responsibly
Control of zoonotic diseases in human and animal populations
Implement and reinforce biosecurity measures in our farms
Ensure safety of all animal and agricultural products
Use antibiotics in animals responsibly to prevent resistance in animal and human populations
Manage animal, vegetable, and human waste appropriately to prevent spread of pathogens and recycle nutrients
Protect natural diversity to maintain healthy ecosystems that clean water, purify air, maintain soil integrity, regulate climate, and recycle nutrients
Use appropriate animal feeds formulation to limit digestive waste that cause damage to the environment
Preserve and regularly monitor water and soil quality
Communicate current global, regional, local health threats, risk factors, and prevention measures regularly and effectively
Promote animal welfare
Support community on One Health issues through extension and community outreach
Establish strong networks with relevant stakeholders
Train students to become leaders in One Health
What’s the Curriculum Like?
RICA students learn conservation agriculture, which includes practices for protecting and enhancing soil quality, improving crop and livestock productivity and profitability, and protecting environmental quality. RICA students learn these skills in an experiential setting, which means they learn in the classroom as well as in fields around campus. RICA’s curriculum starts with a solid science and math foundation, equipping students to understand and apply emerging engineering and technological developments in innovative ways to agriculture in Rwanda. In year one, students take foundational courses and learn principles of smallholder farming. In year two, they learn through six different enterprises, from dairy to irrigated cropping systems to food processing. In year three, they complete a capstone project with partners on and off campus. Entrepreneurship and communications are also interwoven throughout RICA’s curriculum.