The project aims to increase the coverage of agroforestry and fruit trees across Rubavu and Rutsiro districts, restoring degraded landscapes and promoting ecosystem services under RWARRI and BK Foundation jointly implemented project.

The districts of Rubavu and Rutsiro face increasing land degradation, soil erosion, and declining agricultural productivity due to steep land, high population pressure, and unsustainable land-use practices. These challenges threaten both environmental sustainability and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

To address this, the Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative (RWARRI), with financial support from the BK Foundation, has initiated a partnership to expand agroforestry and fruit tree coverage across the two districts. The project promotes the integration of trees into farming systems as a sustainable approach to restoring degraded landscapes, improving soil fertility, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing crop productivity.

Through this collaboration, farmer groups are supported in producing, planting, and maintaining trees, contributing to both environmental restoration and improved household incomes. The initiative aligns with national priorities on climate resilience and sustainable land management while reinforcing community-based approaches to landscape restoration.

Project objectives

1. Plant 70,000 seedlings with a survival rate of 85% to restore 120 hectares
2. Establish 10 environmental clubs

3. Establish 10 tree gardens at schools
4. Establish 40 saving and loaning groups

5. Train 1,200 saving group members on financial literacy