Irrigation Program
This program aims at increasing agricultural productivity for poverty reduction which is achieved through turning irrigation potential into irrigated land, facilitating farmers to exploit land regardless of unreliable rain seasons. In Rwanda irrigation practices comprises of pressurized, surface (gravity) irrigation, and small scale irrigation technologies.
In light of the fact that the Rwandan government, through MINAGRI/RAB, developed strategies to boost agricultural production by decreasing reliance on rain-fed agriculture and launched marshlands, hillside, and small-scale irrigation projects to achieve the goal set by the NST1, which is 102,284 Ha by 2024, the program executes projects which are domestic and external funded.
1. 1 Domestic funded projects
GFI (Government Funded Irrigation) which focuses on marshlands rehabilitation, Irrigation project studies and Operation, Management and Maintenance of irrigation schemes.
SSIT (Small Scale Irrigation Technology) which provide subsidy to farmers (50 or 75% depending on the type of project.
1.2 External Funded project
ETI (Export Targeted Modern Irrigation) which is developing irrigation system in Kirehe District (Mpanga, Mahama 1 and Mahama 2 irrigation schemes) and Mechanization Center of Excellence. This project is funded through a loan from Exim Bank of India.
Exim Bank India New Line of Credit which will fund the development of Rweru and Mugesera Irrigation Projects.
WAMCAB: The Project for Water Management and Capacity Building in Rwanda funded by Japan through JICA.