In the region of Nyabimata, in south Rwanda, farmer families cultivate the soil among a landscape of hills. On the steep slopes, the rain streams down and washes away the soils, leaving it eroded and infertile. With the support of Frères des Hommes, Adenya set up a plot for a development project in 2008 to increase production and prevent the soil from loosing its fertility. Adenya has taken up several projects: supporting the local farmers’ organization and discussions about existing problems, as well as taking collective measures to protect against erosion control. The farmers have received training in the regulations for environment protection and on traditional and biological agricultural techniques (composting, green cover,…). Setting up and managing anti-erosion measures such as progressive terraces or fodder hedges to guard against water runoff and improve the fertility of the soil.

In 2009, Adenya would like to extend these projects to two neighbouring hills so that they can start breeding sheep, rabbits and chicken on the redeveloped hills. Adenya would like to continue to foster a dynamic local development by encouraging the innovation and dissemination of agricultural techniques adapted for the Rwandan environment. The demographic pressure is indeed increasing in Rwanda and it is becoming urgent to set up new means to increase productivity without using intensive agriculture that is harmful to the soil.

This program has received the support of the regional Council of the Pays de la Loire thanks to the mobilization of the activists of Frères des Hommes in Thouaré (44).