In recent years, Gahengeri sector in Rwamagana district has become a focal point for agricultural innovation and empowerment, particularly among women. Thanks to Korea International Company Agency (KOICA) and Merry Year International (MYI) robust funding of cooperatives such as COPALEG (Cooperative des Producteurs de Légumes) that provide essential materials and skills to boost vegetable production.
With a mission to empower marginalized communities, this Korean non-profit organisation has successfully implemented various projects aimed at enhancing food security and increasing income levels of vulnerable female farmers.
According to Godfrey Mugabo, the Program Coordinator of MYI, the organization is currently supporting over one hundred women with essential farming skills through modern agricultural training and supplying equipment. From seeds to fertilizers, machinery, farming boots, among others.
Additionally, the organization constructed modern facilities–cold rooms and storage houses, to ensure proper storage and preservation of the farmer’s harvests. Not to mention the establishment of the green house to further boost agricultural innovation.
“Each farmer was allocated a total of five acres of land—three acres of marshland and two acres of hill land (courtesy of the Government of Rwanda)—ideal for cultivating a variety of vegetables such as tomatoes, paprika, cucumbers, Chilli peppers, mushrooms, and other nutritious produce,” explained Mugabo.
Besides, ‘demonstration’ farms–used to test the productivity of seeds, as well as equip the women with advanced farming techniques and knowledge to manage their agriculture activities effectively, were also provided.
Christine Niyondera, an agronomist with MYI stresses that this comprehensive approach has not only improved the quality of farming, but also empowered the ladies to take charge of their livelihoods.
“The farmers, once burdened by economic challenges, now enjoy improved livelihoods and a sense of financial independence. We make harvests every three months, and our produce has a ready market with companies such as Proxifresh Rwanda, Prid farms and Triple S,” she noted.
Furthermore, these women’s confidence has been bolstered as the organisation grants them an opportunity to take up leadership positions within the cooperative.
Rugwizangoga Cleophas, the president of COPALEG remarked that, “before I joined the project, I struggled to grow enough food for my family. Today, I produce more than I ever imagined, due to modern farming methods like crop rotation and pest management that Merry Year International has impacted us with.”
Rugwizangoga made these remarks during their weekly meeting held on 19th, March, 2025 In Rwamagana district, Gahengeri sector.
About Merry Year International
KOICA and Merry Year International’s partnership with COPALEG was launched in 2021. Initially, these organisations worked with CODAEGA (Gahengeri Maize Farmers’ Cooperative) where they supported maize farmers to boost their production.
During that period (2014-2017), they constructed a maize processing plant that enabled farmers to produce high quality maize flour–Rwamagana Best maize flour-CODAEGA. In addition to successfully setting up a Milk Correction Center (MCC).
In 2018, KOICA and MYI collaborated with KIA Motors Corporation to launch the Green Light Project (GLP). This consisted of a Vocational Training Centre—established to provide modern farming practises to at least 100 farmers selected annually.
A mobility Program that utilized mobile vehicles, donated by KIA motors to provide rental services of farming equipment was also initiated. Not to mention the Self-Reliance Support program that assisted in setting up storage and drying facilities for farmers.
Since its inception in Rwanda in 2014, KOICA and MYI has been dedicated to uplifting local farmers by introducing modern farming practices, efforts that have yielded substantial benefits to the people of Rwamagana.
“Our aim is to transform from traditional farming to conventional farming that is not only sustainable, but also profitable,” explained Mugabo, the program coordinator for MYI.
