Irrigation Gives Rwanda’s Fruit Sector a New Push Toward Self-Sufficiency

Kigali, 7 August 2026 - Rwanda is turning to irrigation to expand fruit production and reduce dependence on imports from neighboring countries, with new investments helping farmers increase yields of crops such as avocados and nuts.

Fruit production has long faced challenges from unreliable rainfall, limited irrigation and traditional farming methods that often generate low yields. To address the problem, the government is supporting modern irrigation and fruit-growing projects under the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project II (SAIP II), implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) in 20 districts between 2024 and 2026.

The program has invested about Rwf11 billion in irrigation, supporting farms of up to 10 hectares with irrigation equipment, solar-powered systems and technical knowledge aimed at reducing farmers’ dependence on rainfall.

At Musha Agricultural Farm in Rwamagana District, irrigation has helped expand avocado cultivation from one to four hectares. Agriculture officer Nzabahimana Charles said the farm now harvests twice a year, compared with once annually before irrigation. A solar-powered system draws water from Lake Muhazi, supported by irrigation equipment worth about Rwf72 million.

The farm currently has 1,282 avocado trees, with production expected to increase as the trees mature. A recent harvest yielded 260 kilograms, while another harvest is expected to reach about one tonne as the trees develop. The farm is also targeting markets outside Rwanda.

At the Catholic University of Rwanda’s Save campus in Gisagara District, SAIP II has supported irrigation for a 10-hectare orchard, using water from the Rwasave Swamp. The project, also valued at around Rwf72 million, has created employment for about 80 people, while the first harvests are already underway. The university plans to integrate the farm into practical training for students studying food processing.

Another example comes from Busasamana Sector in Nyanza District, where investor Kuyihura Claver grows avocados on 7.5 hectares. His farm received more than Rwf49 million through SAIP II to establish an irrigation system after some of the trees began showing signs of drought stress.

The farm’s approximately 800 mature avocado trees, planted in 2006, now produce around four tonnes annually, with markets in Kigali and abroad. The growing results from these farms suggest that reliable irrigation could help Rwanda expand fruit production, improve farmers’ incomes and gradually reduce reliance on imported fruit.