Heifer Rwanda, in partnership with Hello Tractor, has launched the second Mechanization Hub in the country in Nyagatare district. This Mechanization Hub wants to enable easier access to modern agricultural technologies and higher production for farmers in the location.
This hub will allow farmers to cultivate larger areas in less time, freeing themselves from the burden of manual labor and improving harvests’ value.
While speaking at the launch, Heifer Rwanda Country Director, Verena Ruzibuka, said the initiative promotes agriculture that is efficient, timely, and sustainable.
“These tractors will support farmers in Nyagatare and neighboring districts to increase their yields and cultivate more land in less time,” Ruzibuka said.
She indicated the first hub opened last year in Kayonza District, and farmers from the area have reported big improvements in farming practices, including timely land preparation, higher productivity, and increased income per hectare.
To this end, Ruzibuka congratulated the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), and Hello Tractor for their contribution to making the project possible. According to her, this new facility will not only offer machinery but also have training, advisory services, and technology that will help farmers in mechanized farming while taking care of the environment.
“We believe in lifting the farmer, especially smallholder farmers, because we believe the future of a nation lies in the hands of those smallholders,” she said.
Hon. Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and Guest of Honor, thanked HeiferRwanda and partners for turning farmers’ dreams into a reality by bringing the Mechanization Hub closer to the farmers: “This hub complements the Ministry’s work in transforming agriculture to meet today’s needs.
“This launch is happening at the time our country is implementing the National Strategy for Transformation of Agriculture (PSTA 5), which seeks to advance the sector over the next five years.
This strategy emphasizes agricultural modernization and the use of environmentally friendly technologies. In particular, mechanization plays a critical role in:
•Reducing reliance on traditional, labor-intensive farming methods, •Enabling timely cultivation of larger plots of land, •Increasing productivity, and creating rural jobs, all of which directly increase farmers’ incomes. By establishing hubs like this one, we are putting into practice one of the pillars of PSTA 5, leveraging modern technology and innovation to make agriculture inclusive and transformative. Hon. Telesphore concluded
The event was graced by several distinguished guests, among them Dr. Théogène Ndabamenye, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Pudence Rubingisa, Governor of the Eastern province of Rwanda, Stephan Gasana, Mayor of Nyagatare district, as well as other senior officials who came to show their support.