Ndego, Kayonza District,TINYUKA MUGORE URASHOBOYE (“Rise Up Woman, You Are Capable”) established by women in Gasabo Village, Ndego Sector operates a successful cassava seed multiplication business after they expanded their initial pig farming project.
The cooperative, made up of 18 determined women, initially focused on pig farming to supplement household incomes. The team received improved cassava seeds and fertilizers together with technical guidance from KIIWP2 which enabled them to achieve their expanded goals.
Marie Jeanne MUKAMURENZI, a member of the cooperative, stated, "The project has strengthened our capacity to work together as a group". She noted that what initially began as a small effort has now resulted in a source of income, dignity, and self-confidence for all of its members.
The cooperative produced 750 Rwandan francs for each unit on their first harvest from the Nsize Bashonje cassava variety, which matures in one year and is well-suited for the region’s climate. The cooperative now supplies certified cassava seeds to farmers throughout the district to help improve food security and support agricultural development in the region.
The changes in members’ lives are noticeably different than before. Every member now has 3 or more chickens and can afford medical insurance for their families, which has improved their economic situation. For example, Marie Jeanne has 8 pigs and has been able to upgrade her home.
The long-term vision for the group is to continue expanding its business model and secure reliable irrigation. The availability of consistent irrigation could allow for continual production of their crops, create stability with members’ incomes, and assist to enhance food security in this area of the Eastern Province of Rwanda that frequently suffers from drought.
The experience of TINYUKA MUGORE URASHOBOYE is an example of how women who have access to resources and skills can go from simply surviving through individual farming activities to developing a formal agribusiness. From raising pigs to producing certified cassava seeds, the experiences of these women demonstrate how resilient they can be, the opportunities available to them, and how they can positively impact the agricultural sector as leaders in their communities.