Nasho Irrigation Cooperative
RICA’s extension partner
The Nasho Irrigation Cooperative (NAICO) is a revolutionary effort to increase adoption of conservation agriculture and put smallholder farmers at the center of food security solutions in Rwanda. The Howard G. Buffett Foundation is partnering with the Government of Rwanda and 2,000 smallholder farming families to support the increased production in the drought-prone region of Rwanda’s Eastern Province on approximately 1,170 hectares (2,900 acres). Since 2016, the Foundation has invested over $50 million for the commissioning of 63 center pivot irrigation systems, each providing irrigation for an average of 40 smallholder farms.
Working with Farmers
Importantly, NAICO serves as a satellite site and living laboratory for shared knowledge with RICA, where faculty and staff work directly with farmers to test conservation agriculture innovations and students gain hands-on experience in the field. Through support from RICA’s extension team, NAICO farmers learn about conservation agriculture, good agricultural practices, and the benefits of irrigation, mechanization, and improved seeds. Farmers receive extension support through every step of the season, enabling them to unlock benefits including improved soil health, crop productivity, lower production costs, and ultimately, stronger livelihoods. RICA students visit and serve as interns at NAICO, providing them with valuable, real-world exposure to the challenges smallholder farmers face and opportunities for testing new solutions in the field.