When Africa Development Promise began our program in Bugesera District of Rwanda in 2014, the women’s cooperative was growing rain-fed crops in an open field. In prior years they had experienced tremendous losses due to the drought and erratic weather patterns  plus they lacked access to training, improved seed, fertilizer and pest control solutions. As they struggled, the cooperative membership dwindled from the original 188 to 66 members. 

Through partnerships with the local government and agri-businesses, Africa Development Promise has worked to train the women on agricultural best practices; facilitated the construction of three greenhouses; and implemented a multi-purpose water system. By connecting them with a local micro-finance bank the women secured a loan (which is now paid off) and successfully purchased additional land for expansion. Today, Africa Development Promise supports five women led cooperatives and is mobilizing more cooperatives – a total of 200 farmers impacting approximately 925 family members.