1. ICYEREKEZO To make commercial agriculture Profitable,
Knowledge-intensive and
Attractive for young people

2. Rwanda - despite remarkable progress…
% are below poverty line
68% of young women and 55% of young men (15–30 years old) farm family plots without income
Formal employment options are limited for young people due to lack of education, skills and experience
Strict regulations of informal sector enterprises further depress opportunities

3. Despite favourable growing conditions …
… Rwanda is a net importer of tomatoes, watermelons and onions; despite 85% of households engaging in agriculture
52.7% of smallholders only produce food crops for their own subsistence

4. We believe
The future of East African agriculture lies in the hands of young, educated, committed farmers who consider farming their career, business and a great investment opportunity
Size does not matter – productivity does. Smallholder farmers with small plots of land can become sustainably profitable and boost economic growth in East African countries

5. Solution
“Real transformation requires the coming together of people who understand local realities and community organising on the one hand with people who possess capital, business skills, and market access, on the other”.
World Bank “Moving out of poverty”

6. Our vision – young Rwandan farmers become part of …
…a growing global movement of people who are passionate about farming and are prosperous as a result of engaging in it
They:
Are well-educated & professionally accomplished
Focus on the niche products
Use innovative technologies
Understand the importance of branding
Embrace modernity

7. A unique strategy – Icyerekezo 2014-2016
We have two years’ experience offering agricultural training to farmers. Throughout we aimed to maximise three parameters:
Value of the chosen crop Identify crops through extensive research that are profitable and in high market demand locally, regionally and globally
Crop yields Maximise yields through training & education, given the small plots of land
Quality of the produce Enhance quality through innovative technologies & commitment to profitability

8. Solution

9. Icyerekezo 2014 -2016 – Critical success factors
Strong focus on individual net income and choice of the most profitable crops as opposed to focusing on unprofitable ‘staple’ crops such as beans, rice and maize
Comprehensive and practical “Wraparound” approach which prioritises mindset change
Decision-making based on strong field data

10. 1) Choice of most profitable crops
Average data
1 hectare of land
Yields
3 tons
3000 pieces
Revenue
480,000 RwF
2,400,000 RwF
Profit
120,000 RwF
1,554,000 RwF

11. 2) Wraparound approach
Clear mutual commitment (MoU), volume and duration of support (3 growing seasons)
Initial assistance with quality agronomic inputs
Theoretical trainings, field demonstrations and follow-ups
Young people are empowered in their own change – promising participants become participant-trainers and mobilise their peers
Support with identifying buyers and markets linkages

12. 3) Field data so far
1,079 unique participants made extra 82,968,860 RwF
4 participants made > 1,200,000 RwF
214 participants made > 100,000 RwF
30 commercial buyers purchase fresh produce from Icyerekezo young farmers and pay competitive prices

13. Identified challenges
Despite the programme’s success, our experience has revealed a number of continuing challenges :
Mindset of resignation and dependency
Low yields and quality of produced crops
Lack of accessible water for uphill irrigation
Government prioritising staple crops
Secure land availability
Lack of effective collaboration among all development stakeholders

14. Where OpenIDEO comes in...
Building on the success and learnings from previous experience we propose an innovative comprehensive approach in order to scale up impact and address challenges faced
Your grant will support the establishment of the Rwamagana Centre with two main purposes: an entrepreneurial & knowledge resource and a farming vocational school

15. Entrepreneurial Resource and Knowledge Centre
Establishment of “Entrepreneurial Resource and Knowledge Centre” enhances close collaboration and linkages for all relevant actors
Training space, agri-inputs shop, and a modern demonstration farm
Accessible for field problems to be brought directly to researchers for solutions
Improving value chains of profitable horticultural crops
Scientific results quickly transmitted to the field

16. Farming Vocational School
First Rwandan government-recognised farming vocational school offering official certificates and supporting horticultural production
Research-led practical trainings
Innovative solutions, using technology to address productivity issues (especially irrigation)
Business acumen and business development aftercare supporting aspiring entrepreneurs to create and establish agri-businesses
Member of the Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum (

17. Thank you