Leandre BAKANIRORA

🌶️ “Agriculture transformed our savings group into a multi-million-franc agribusiness.” – Musabyimana Gloria What started as a small village savings group has grown into a thriving youth-led agribusiness, proving that with determination, innovation, and the right support, young people can build successful enterprises through agriculture. Musabyimana Gloria is a member of Youth TUZAMURANE, a youth group based in Rwabicuma Sector, @NyanzaDistrict , where 25 young people: 17 of them are young women, they are farming chili peppers on 2 hectares of land. “Our journey began with small savings of between RWF 250 and RWF 1,000 per member. We soon realized that saving money alone would not transform our lives, so we decided to invest in agriculture,” Gloria explains. The group rented land in an irrigated marshland and started by cultivating peas. Their first investment of RWF 322,000 generated more than RWF 1.2 million, giving them the confidence to dream bigger. A turning point came when the SAIP II Project, implemented by RAB-SPIU, organized a competition for youth groups. Youth TUZAMURANE emerged among the winners and received agricultural equipment worth RWF 2.2 million, including bicycles, hoes, raincoats, watering cans, water pumps, and other essential farming tools. “That support changed everything. It gave us the confidence and the capacity to expand our farming business,” she says. The group later specialized in chili pepper production and successfully accessed additional support through the SAIP II Matching Grant program, where the project financed 60% of their investment while the group contributed the remaining 40%. Today, their farming enterprise is valued at between RWF 8 million and RWF 15 million, compared to about RWF 3 million when SAIP II first began supporting them. “Our chili peppers are now reaching international markets, and we also grow French beans, which provide another important source of income. Agriculture has become a real business for us.” Speaking during the Knowledge Sharing event that brought together farmers from Ruhango and Nyanza Districts, Gloria said exchanging experiences with fellow farmers gave her new ideas that will help improve their production and strengthen their enterprise. “We learned that when farmers share knowledge, everyone benefits. We are leaving this event with new ideas that we are determined to implement.” Gloria believes that young people have a critical role to play in transforming Rwanda’s agriculture and creating jobs. “To my fellow young people, I encourage you to believe in yourselves and embrace agriculture. It is full of opportunities for those who are willing to work hard, stay committed, and remain determined. Agriculture is not just farming; it is a business that can transform lives and contribute to our country’s development.” #SAIPII_Impact Cc; @RwandaAgri @RwandaAgriBoard @SRwamulangwa @umflora @T_Ndabamenye @solangeuwituze @WorldBankGroup @GAFSPfund @MRugamba @MutangwaSarah @HITIMANAJean @EzraByiringiro @Ezra_Mutabaruka