Action pour la Protection de l’Environnement et la Promotion des Filières Agricoles (APEFA), in partnership with Rusizi District, has officially launched a project aimed at restoring degraded land and enhancing community livelihood resilience.
The project, titled “Scaling Climate-Smart Agroforestry for Farmland Restoration and Livelihood Resilience in Rusizi District,” was officially launched on September 18, 2026, in Mururu Sector.
The event was attended by various officials, partners, and local residents, including Oscar Nzabonimpa, Executive Director of APEFA, and Alfred Habimana, the Vice Mayor of Rusizi District in charge of Economic Development.
Funded by the Vumbuzi Impact Africa Foundation through TerraFund, the project aims to promote climate-smart agroforestry, restore degraded land, build resilience against climate change, and improve community livelihoods, while also emphasizing active community participation in its implementation.
In his remarks, APEFA Executive Director Oscar Nzabonimpa highlighted that the project is designed to address the challenges facing both the land and the farmers. “Agricultural land is a source of food, income, and livelihoods for many households. When land degrades, yields drop, soil erosion increases, and fertility declines, leaving households less resilient to the impacts of climate change,” he said.
He added that the project aims to do more than just plant trees.
“It is not merely about planting trees; it is about restoring agricultural land, promoting environmentally friendly farming practices, and strengthening the resilience of households and the community at large,” he added.
The project will focus on the Mururu, Nyakarenzo, and Gashonga sectors, aiming to restore approximately 823 hectares of land across 25 villages.
Fifty leaders of designated “Restoration Blocks” will be appointed to mobilize the community, coordinate activities, and oversee the preparation and production of seedlings ahead of the planting season, scheduled for October and November 2026.
However, APEFA emphasized that the responsibility for caring for and protecting the trees will rest with the residents themselves.
Beneficiary households will be responsible for protecting, nurturing, and managing the trees planted on their land to ensure the project yields sustainable results.