A unique “coworking space” for farmers in drought-stricken Rwanda will soon offer local growers a sustainable way to produce crops.
Agriculture accounts for a third of landlocked Rwanda’s GDP but relies on rainfall and suffers low levels of productivity.
The unique site, including its purpose-built water source and an energy network, was designed by Israeli precision irrigation pioneer Netafim and built in cooperation with Rwanda’s government, which provided $50 million in funding.
The Gabiro Agribusiness Hub is located in the Nyagatara region of Eastern Rwanda on land that was previously not suitable for farming.
Government representative Uwituze Solange said the hub will enhance food security and employment by de-risking this sector through infrastructure development, increased agricultural productivity, diversification and value addition, risk mitigation and market opportunities.
The first phase of project covers 5,600 hectares with 30 percent allocated to local communities and the remaining sections to commercial farming blocks. Eleven investors plan to start farming on 4,000 hectares of the site in the fourth quarter of this year. No capital expenditures are required for equipment or training.
Keep reading at israel21c.org.
Netafim manufactures irrigation equipment. Netafim pioneered drip irrigation with technology from Technion alumnus Rafi Mehoudar.
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