RDIS in partnership with Rwanda Action has been implementing successfully the project of Environmental Conservation in Western Province of Rwanda (Rusizi and Nyamasheke Districts) for a long time. In the last year, from February to December 2022, RDIS organization prepared and maintained five tree nurseries which produced 150,000 seedlings for forestry, Agroforestry and fruit trees as per MoU signed by both RDIS and Rwanda Action. All the prepared seedlings were distributed to be grown by the rural poor farmers from Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts in the Western Province of Rwanda.
In Nyamasheke district, the tree nurseries are located in Kanjongo and Bushenge sectors, while in Rusizi district the tree nursery bed sites are located in Nzahaha, Nyakabuye and Bweyeye sectors.
The total area of land restored in 2022 including the land owned by poor farmers, i.e. public land (planted during community work / Umuganda) is around 93.74 hectares.
Seedlings produced per tree nursery site
Each site had an expected total number of 30,000 planned seedlings, the total of expected seedlings to be produced was 150,000 and the total production is 150,090. The total seedlings given to the farmers are 149,994. This means that 96 seedlings were damaged before planted.
Distribution of Seedlings
All seedling produced minus 96 seedling damaged were given to the farmers in order to plant. Some seedlings were given to farmers themselves and they cultivated on their land, others were given to schools and others were cultivated on public land during community work for the erosion control purposes and environmental protection as well.
|
No |
Categories of beneficiaries planted trees |
Number of trees planted |
|
1 |
Farmers |
127,453 |
|
2 |
Public land (planted during community work / Umuganda) |
13,494 |
|
3 |
School |
8,997 |
| TOTAL OF TREES PLANTED | 149,944 |
Feedback from different project stakeholders about tree Nursery Project
(a) Feedback from beneficiary/ Jean Ngendabanyika
Jean NGENDABANYIKA is a beneficiary of tree nursery project; he is living in Rusizi district, Nzahaha sector. At the planting period Jean was given and planted 400 seedlings of passion fruits, 250 seedlings of tree tomatoes and 20 seedlings of eucalyptus.
When Jean was visited two months after planting those seedlings in his own words he said” I am really very thankful to this project because I hope this will be a strong foundation to help us to improve our ling condition, he said that he planted more fruits because in their living area fruits are surviving easily and are making money in a short period of time. He added that this project that helped him to create a job of himself and he hope to get money in a short period of time.” Apart from the money he is expecting to get from his production of fruits but he also planted the eucalyptus for erosion control but also expecting to get money from them in a long period.
(b) Bed Manager of Nzahaha tree nursery site
I Nsengiyumva Etienne bed manager of Nzahaha tree nursery site, we thank God and the donors of this tree nursery project, especially thanks to RDIS and Rwanda Action for they thought of allocating this project here in this sector. There is a high need for planting trees in Nzahaha sector because our topography for erosion controls but also fruits trees in order to help our people to have source of money. We will always sensitize the farmers to take care of these trees but it will be easy for us because population of Nzahaha already know the importance of trees in their location and we are working hand I hand with local administration. On my behalf and on behalf of tree nursery bed manager we are very thankful because also we had an opportunity to get this job which helped us a lot in terms of obtaining the school fees and school materials of our children. Not only this but also we were able to pay health insurance of our families on time and we are secured. I would like to close by giving my sincere thanks to RDIS and Rwanda Action for this project but if possible next year you should top up a bit our incentive because everything has increased price on market.
(c) Forestry Officer of Bushenge Sector
I am Habaguhirwa Cleophas the Agronomist of Bushenge sector and at the same time saving as Sector forestry officer, we have more to say about this project. I would like to mention that this project, among of the project which is helping our sector to achieve performance contract in terms of environment protection, job creation, and increasing the surface area covered by trees in our sector. In addition, this project is serving our population in terms of fighting malnutrition due to the preparation and distribution of fruits trees. This project is highly needed in our sector and even in all sector of Nyamasheke, if your funds allow you should increase the number of tree nursery and number of seedlings you produce. Thank you very much for supporting our district as well as our community members.
Conclusion
The tree nursery project continues to be very important in Rusizi and Nyamasheke District, in case of fighting the climate crises and increasing the families’ income. It is valuable for farmers per their feedback. Apparently, the tree planting project has a great benefit to the rural community and the entire country. All the distributed seedlings including forestry, agroforestry and fruit trees are always needed in community for Social-economic impact, erosion control, animal fodder and fighting against poverty and malnutrition as well. RDIS will continue to ensure that trees planted are cared and monitored properly, so that it can continue to take good care of the environment and to be better health to community and this project will help the benefited families to improve their living conditions and build their sustainable development.
Further Information on Tree Nursery Project Implemented By RDIS under Grant of Rwanda Action
Since RDIS organization has been registered by Rwanda Governance Board as a local NGO on the 12 August 2015 under registration number: 13/RGB/NGO/2015 was able to prepare and distribute 1,350,000 trees of Agroforestry, forestry and fruits trees. The survival rate was 98.4%. The land restored is about 1,498 Hectares in Rusizi and Nyamasheke districts.
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Rwanda Action**
Registered Charity Number: 1124634
Postal Address:
Bugsell Farm, Bugsell Lane,
Robertsbridge, East Sussex,TN32 5EN
United Kingdom
Website: https://www.rwanda-action.org/
**Formerly Rwanda Aid, is a charity that is empowering communities to reduce poverty in Rwanda.
Please download project report 2022 here
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