GISAGARA, Rwanda has officially launched the Giseke Agricultural Irrigation Project in Gisagara District. This $47 million investment aims to modernize the district's agriculture by shifting towards irrigation-based and market-oriented farming.
The launch ceremony concluded a three-day tour of the Southern and Western Provinces by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye.
Backed by the $47 million investment, the project involves constructing a dam with a capacity of 6.5 million cubic meters of water, alongside a modern irrigation network serving 2,670 hectares of productive land (with a total area of 3,000 hectares).
The project also includes a 48.8-kilometer water pipeline network, designed to eliminate farmers' reliance on unpredictable rainfall by providing a reliable water supply throughout the year. Officials state that these initiatives will boost agricultural productivity, enhance collaboration across the food value chain, and create jobs and market opportunities for the population.
The launch ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including the Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda, H.E. Gao Wenqi, who described the project as a prime example of bilateral partnership and South-South cooperation aimed at advancing modern agriculture.
Addressing farmers and cooperatives, Minister Ndabamenye urged them to play an active role in maintaining and properly managing this infrastructure, while emphasizing the importance of efficient water use and the adoption of market-oriented agriculture.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (X account)