From traditional farming to commercial agriculture: The transformation journey of KIMUYANZA Cooperative through SAIP I and II “The greatest change is not only in what we produce, but also in how we think about farming.” ~Isabelle, president of KIMUYANZA Cooperative. In @rulindodistrict , KIMUYANZA Cooperative is a strong example of how organized farming, knowledge transfer, and access to agricultural support services can transform farmers’ livelihoods. Operating on approximately 768 hectares of farmland surrounding the Muyanza Irrigation Scheme, the cooperative produces maize, beans, vegetables, and fruit crops through commercial and sustainable agricultural practices. According to Isabelle, President of KIMUYANZA Cooperative, the cooperative was established after the development of radical terraces to enable farmers to collectively cultivate, manage, and conserve the developed agricultural land. Today, KIMUYANZA Cooperative has grown into a strong farmers’ organization with 18 production zones, 44 farmer groups, and 550 members. The cooperative’s financial capacity has also improved, with members’ share capital increasing from RWF 10,000 to RWF 17,000. Before benefiting from the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project (SAIP), farmers practiced traditional and fragmented farming with limited access to improved technologies and markets. Through SAIP support, farmers received training in modern agricultural practices, access to improved seed varieties, market linkages, and knowledge on adopting climate-smart agriculture. These interventions have contributed to increased productivity, improved incomes, and better living conditions for cooperative members. The impact of this transformation goes beyond crop production. Farmers have been able to invest in livestock production, pay school fees for their children, improve their households, and create employment opportunities, especially for young people. “Through the Knowledge Sharing experience, I learned valuable lessons from farmers in other cooperatives. I have identified new practices and opportunities that we can apply in our cooperative to continue improving,” Isabelle shared. Commenting on the importance of knowledge exchange among farmers, Theoneste Rugerinyange, Vice Mayor in Charge of Economic Development of Rulindo District, described the initiative as an important learning journey where farmers gain knowledge from one another through sharing experiences and best practices. He highlighted that farmers are key partners in helping the District achieve its development targets, especially in food security and agricultural productivity. The Vice Mayor also recognized the contribution of the SAIP Project in transforming farmers’ mindsets, strengthening agricultural skills, and improving the livelihoods of communities around the Muyanza Irrigation Scheme. Although the project is approaching its completion, he expressed confidence that farmers will continue to use and maintain the developed agricultural infrastructure while protecting the achievements made. He reaffirmed the District’s commitment to continuing to support farmers and sustaining the progress achieved through the project. The story of KIMUYANZA Cooperative shows that when farmers are empowered with knowledge, improved technologies, and market opportunities, agriculture becomes a powerful driver of income, resilience, and rural development. #SAIPII_Impact Cc; @RwandaAgri @RwandaAgriBoard @SRwamulangwa @umflora @T_Ndabamenye @solangeuwituze @WorldBankGroup @GAFSPfund @MRugamba @MutangwaSarah @HITIMANAJean @EzraByiringiro @Ezra_Mutabaruka