Since 1999, RDO has embarked on environmental protection for sustainable development where interventions have focused on environment
awareness creation, afforestation (establishing tree nurseries, tree planting and follow-up) and conservation of natural resources in general. Currently, RDO is implementing a project to protect River Umuvumba for sustainable agriculture intensification which also falls into green growth and climate resilience. Funded by Rwanda Governance Board (RGB) the project focuses on protection of river Umuvumba from siltation and the river valley from floods. The project involves planting trees on the hills overlooking the river to control soil erosion and degradation, planting agro forestry trees in the farm land downhill, digging contours on the hill sides and the peripherals of the valley to counteract runoff water that would cause floods and siltation of River Umuvumba.
In Rwentanga hill, Matimba sector of Nyagatare district where the river passes, about 398 contours have been established on 17 hectares to prevent soil erosion, deposition and siltation of River Umuvumba. To establish sustainable solutions, the neighboring community is empowered with skills where RDO trained 16 (8 male, 8 female) master trainers as TOTs (Trainer on Trainees) on Agroforestry and soil erosion mitigation. The ToTs in turn trained 416 (200 Male, 2016 female) peer farmers.
The project is helping in the restoration of ecosystem of the wetland and protection of the river as a response to environmental challenges in Rwentanga and Nyabwishogwezi cells of Matimba sector. Damascene Ntambara, the coordinator of the project at RDO notes that these activities are sustainable because of the community involvement. Community engagement included meetings at Rwentanga cell brought together the farmers and local authorities where farmers willingly participated in big numbers which made selection of the beneficiaries easy.
“The contours were dug by the community members themselves, hence, not only did they benefit from the controlled erosion but also the generation of income through the compensation(payment) of the work done,” Ntambara observes. Contrary to other projects implemented in the past, a big number of female farmers were willing to be involved in the project’s activities. Thus, more women than men were selected and engaged. The involvement of more women also led to the increase of their self-esteem. They proved that they are able to do physical activities even better than men.
To follow up on the activities, a project local committee was set up and members trained to understand the project objectives and help in follow up. The training attracted 12 (6 male, 6 female) as local management committee to support in implementation. Residents of the area say that these activities are helping in control of soil erosion through these contour ridges dug around the hill to reduce runoff from Rwentanga and Nyabwishongwezi hills which used to cause serious
floods and siltation down- stream. The planted trees on the upper and lower slopes are also a big asset as they are both agro forestry and fruit trees.
