Rwanda: Ngoma farmers buoyed by green technology for irrigation

This week, Ngoma District inaugurated a Rwf271 million hillside irrigation scheme to water fruits and vegetables in sectors of Zaza and Mutenderi, a green technology that uses solar energy to distribute water on 20 hectares of smallholder farmers' lands. Targeted to benefit around 1,200 residents, the project established solar pumping systems and constructed two water reservoirs of 500m3 each to irrigate 10 hectares in the Zaza and 10 hectares in Mutenderi, using Lake Mugesera water in Zaza and source water in Mutenderi. Currently, farmers have planted at Zaza site crops including bell peppers, French beans, watermelon, and eggplants, while in Mutenderi site, there are bell peppers, tomatoes, cabbages, carrots, onions, and eggplants. "The only role of the lake was water for home use," declared Sophia Mukamukiza, 25-year old farmer from Nyakariba, Ruhinga Cell, Zaza. "We used to plant two seasons a year, but now we will plant anytime. This will help us grow financially. Of course ...