Irrigation development in Rwanda is receiving a high priority on the path to Agricultural Intensification and development. In the government’s Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA4) and NST1, the plan is to increase the irrigated areas from 48,508 ha in 2017 to 102,284 ha by the year 2024. To ensure a balanced development of both infrastructures, sustainable and efficient operation and management of irrigation schemes, the government of Rwanda, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, has established the Irrigation Water Users Associations (IWUAs) as defined by the Ministerial Order No 001/11.30 of 23.11.2011.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources contributed to the development of irrigation schemes countywide. More than 170 irrigation schemes have been developed across the country, but the ownership by the cooperatives operating in the irrigation schemes remain uncertain. For a sustainable management of irrigation schemes, RAB recruited experienced companies as service providers including Yalla Yalla Group for building the capacity of Irrigation Water Users Associations (IWUAs) and farmers’ cooperatives in the irrigation schemes of Rwanda.

Through an open competitive model, YALLA YALLA GROUP won the tender for Operation and Management of Irrigation schemes in LOT 1 and LOT 2 located in Nyanza, Huye and Gisagara Districts and also Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke and Rusizi Districts for providing extension services to the farmers operating in those irrigation schemes under framework contract where the contract would be renewed every year upon the satisfaction of RAB and the performance showed by YALLA YALLA GROUP.

YALLA YALLA GROUP as a Service Provider is building the Capacity of Water Users Organizations, and farmers cooperatives in terms of operation and management of irrigation schemes through establishment of irrigation calendars, community work mobilization, updating water user lists, farm management, establishment of demo plots and training on good agricultural practices, seasonal preparation meetings, preparing field visits to other irrigation schemes, and organizing training of trainers for farmer promoters.

YALLA YALLA GROUP is also ensuring proper operation and management of irrigation schemes through the collaboration with District Irrigation Steering Committees, Water User Organizations, and farmer cooperatives at the scheme level. In addition, it is responsible for increasing the capacity of farmers to increase agricultural productivity (good agriculture practices, crop management, post- harvest handling and market linkages with potential buyers).

PESFIS project aligns with the National Strategy of Transformation(NST1)’s priority area, emphasizing innovative irrigation system management model and the involvement of farmers and water user groups. The collaboration between the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and the YALLA YALLA Group ensures daily proximity coaching to nearly 32,048 farmers associated with 36 cooperatives and 27 Water Users Organizations (WUOs). The project’s dual lots cover 2,180 hectares and 2,526 hectares respectively, supporting the modernization of Rwandan agriculture through sustainable irrigation practices and community engagement in Nyanza, Huye, Gisagara, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts.