The Government of Rwanda has given highest priority for development of water resources to increase the agriculture productivity. National Agriculture Policy was developed for respective implementation of Government development strategies in line with the vision 2020 goals and poverty reduction strategies.

The sustainable soil conservation, marshland and hill side irrigation development projects were framed for implementation to bring sustainable agriculture productivity.

Integrated Watershed Management is an integration of technology within the natural boundaries of a drainage area for optimum development and utilization of land water and plant resources to meet the basic needs of the people in a sustained manner. It encompasses integration of many scattered programs of soil conservation like biological and mechanical measures, drainage line treatment in cultivable wasteland and non-cultivable land in the command and catchment area.

Under the implementation of Project entitled “Export Targeting Modern Irrigated Agriculture Projects in Rwanda Mahama lot-1” on its components namely: INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, supported by the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), EPEOTGE Ltd is implementing the contract “Construction and development of irrigation scheme and water shed management activities Lot 1”, in Mahama sector, Kirehe district.

This contract signed between EPECOTGE and Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) on 18th December 2021, had the six main activities as per following:  

A. CONSTRUCTION OF DRY-STONE MASONRY STRUCTURE WITH VEGETATIVE SUPPORT (63)

During the implementation of contract, dry stone masonry stricture with vegetative support was planned in the project area to be constructed to the first and second order stream have such gradient where flow velocities attain erosive potential; it needs to be reduced so as to bring the run-off velocities within permissible limit. Series of check dam i.e dry stone structures support are proposed with low drops. These checks will help in soil and water conservation in upstream.

Suitable type of check structure is proposed in the drainage line depending upon its slope catchment area, land use, peak run-off and severity of the problem. Therefore 63 have been completed out of 63 dry stone masonry structure planned which make the progress to be reached at 100%. After construction the structures appear to be effective as proposed and reaching the goals as per feasibility study conducted.

B.         CONSTRUCTION OF CRATE WIRE STRUCTURES (GABIONS STRUCTURE)

Crate wire /Gabion was proposed to be constructed in cube shaped, rectangular like structures fabricated of heavy wire mesh and filled with rocks, indigenous in stone material. These structures will be highly permeable and act as self-draining units, seepage/base flow can easily be drained off by them. From these activities 60 crates wire structure have been constructed out of 70 structures planned which make total progress of 98%.

C.         AGROFORESTRY

As per known, Agroforestry was proposed as combination of agricultural and forestry technologies to create integrated, diverse, and productive land use systems. Agroforestry in combination of agricultural with trees is necessary to reduce erosion and increase the infiltration.

Agroforestry supports food security and more sustainable agricultural production. From this activity, the intervention household can choose trees to be planted for targeting various role including source of fuel, beautification, shade or improvement of soil fertility windbreaks or fruit production, also agroforestry will play an important role in the reduction of poverty while protecting the environment sustainably. Within this activity the 485 ha out of 485 ha have been planted with selected Agroforestry trees (Grevilia Robusta, Markamia Lutea, Calliandra Callothyrsus) that make a total progress of 100%.

D. HORTICULTURE

For this component, Horticulture plantation was planned to improve economical condition of the local community through practices of planting fruit trees including Avocadoes, Mangoes, Guajava etc.… whereby 278ha have been completed by fruits trees out of 313ha planned which make total progress of 89% of mangoes as agreed by local authorities.

E. CAPACITY BUILDING

Capacity Building was planned to be conducted as a process of assisting the stake holders of watersheds on issues of soil and water conservation, production system, input of crops, latest technological options for increasing productivity of crop, livestock development, horticulture, and forestation.

Capacity building of stakeholders is also increasingly viewed as an important factor in developmental projects that involve     participation of stakeholders at all levels for effective implementation of projects.

Capacity building and training of all functionaries and stakeholders involved in watershed program is the requisites activities of integrated watershed management program. The suitable training program for capacity building of personnels/ stakeholders at district level, sector level, village level and micro-watershed level has been provided in project proposals.

From this component also, it will be the provisions of exposure visits outside the project area and orientation programs have been made.

Farmer training camps in each season would be organized to enhance their knowledge and skills. From this activity the 3 out of 6 training planned have been covered with topics including (-Administrative Management (Leadership), role and responsibility of Community sub-groups; -Cooperative Law (Irrigation water users Association ministerial order) and 1 out of 2 Study tour conducted  ; all of these activities have been provided to local leaders and communities of project intervention area.