Learn how three remarkable women in Rwanda turned their struggling potato farm into a thriving climate-smart agribusiness. Now, they’re successful entrepreneurs, confident mothers and community leaders, and excited about what the future holds.
Low harvests lead to little hope
Known as the “Land of a Thousand Hills,” Rwanda is covered in towering green hills and lush valleys throughout much of the country. Perched at the very top of one particularly large hill are the homes of Jacqueline (50), Devothe (47), and Athanasie (36) in Rusagra Village.
Farming had always been a part of Jacqueline, Devothe, and Athanasie’s lives, but their traditional methods of farming produced small yields—just 300 to 500 kilograms of Irish potatoes per harvest. If there were heavy rains or a drought, their yield would shrink even more. As subsistence farmers, this left them trapped in extreme poverty and unable to provide many basic necessities for their families.
These challenges weren’t just economic—they were also deeply personal.
Without a meaningful way to earn an income or participate in the community, the women felt isolated at home and ostracized in the village. “We were living in a black darkness,” Jacqueline recalls. “We weren’t meant to only stay at home.” They wanted more—for themselves, their children, and their futures. But without access to resources or economic opportunities, they were stuck.
Planting the seeds of change through entrepreneurship
Things began to change when they enrolled in Village Enterprise’s poverty graduation program, designed to help women in extreme poverty build sustainable livelihoods through the power of entrepreneurship. Not only did Jacqueline, Devothe, and Athanasie learn how to start their own small business together, but they received training on how to keep financial records, put away savings, and grow their business over time.
After receiving their business grant of 240,000 RWF ($170 USD) from Village Enterprise, they decided to start a business growing Irish potatoes. This was something they were familiar with, but this time they were going to do things differently. That’s because their Village Enterprise Business Mentor Andre Muhakwa had started teaching them about climate-smart agriculture.
How climate-smart agriculture is helping rural farmers thrive in the face of climate change
“Climate-smart agriculture refers to sustainable farming practices and principles that aim to improve productivity, increase incomes and food security, while mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change,” says Isaac Obongo, Village Enterprise’s Technical Advisor for Conservation, Climate Change, Adaptation, and Resilience. Simply put, these are farming techniques that grow a higher yield of healthier produce, take better care of the environment, and help farmers strategically cut costs and plan for the future.
Examples of climate-smart agriculture concepts include:
- Investing in drought-tolerant and improved seeds
- Maintaining soil health through composting, manure, and proper use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides
- Planting native tree species and shrubs to reduce carbon emissions, minimize soil erosion, and promote biodiversity
- Incorporating optimal irrigation and water management techniques
- Strategic placement of crops to reduce overcrowding and maximize synergy between crops
- Using low-cost and innovative farming equipment
To support entrepreneurs as they learn and adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, Village Enterprise has incorporated several resources into our curriculum:
- Learning Sites — We create small-scale test farms to demonstrate techniques in the field and showcase new seed varieties and equipment.
- Specialty Business Mentors — We hire business mentors with a background in agronomy, agroforestry, and crop science to provide tailored support. In addition to hands-on instruction, they help entrepreneurs troubleshoot issues and connect them with resources such as improved seeds, crop insurance, and market linkages.
- Conservation Champions — Each business savings group elects two conservation champions to promote household conservation initiatives.
- Continuous Training and Mentorship — This enables entrepreneurs to make informed decisions about their farming enterprises and practices.
With more than 65% of people in eastern Africa working in agriculture and smallholder farming, it’s never been more important to ensure rural farmers have the resources they need to succeed and adapt to climate change.
Studies by UN Women have shown that women in sub-Saharan Africa consistently see smaller yields compared to their male counterparts due to a lack of access to training and resources—but it doesn’t have to be this way. By strategically investing in women and providing training on climate-smart agriculture, UN Women argues that women can see an almost 20% increase in the food they produce. That’s 20% more income they can use towards things that really matter—food, healthcare, and their children’s education.
This is why Village Enterprise is committed to investing in women farmers. By combining business education with climate-smart agriculture, Africa’s most vulnerable women are able to get out of extreme poverty, build sustainable livelihoods, and thrive.
Reaping the rewards of their hard work and determination
As Village Enterprise continues to expand its climate-smart agriculture initiatives, Jacqueline, Devothe, and Athanasie prove how these techniques can take an underperforming farm and transform it into a thriving village enterprise.
At first, climate-smart agriculture felt overwhelming for Jacqueline, Devothe, and Athanasie. The concepts were foreign, and shifting from generations of traditional methods to something new required patience and trust. “Andre encouraged us to show up every day and keep trying,” says Devothe. “At first, it was overwhelming, but we knew we had to commit if we wanted to see results.”
The results came fast. Within four months of planting their first seeds, they harvested nearly one ton of Irish potatoes! A few months later, their business was already valued at nearly 1,000,000 RWF ($707 USD), a profit of 760,000 RWF ($537 USD) from where they started.
They didn’t stop there. Using their profits, the group purchased a cow for manure to enrich their soil and to sell milk as a secondary income. Then, they decided to expand into growing additional produce including green peppers, cabbage, and eggplants. As they did, their business mentor Andre used his agronomy background to research best practices for each crop and helped the women implement techniques on the farm.
As their yields improved, so did their confidence. “Through the climate-smart training from Village Enterprise, we are becoming professional farmers,” says Jacqueline.
Harvesting hope and inspiring a new generation of farmers
Not only have these remarkable women been able to launch a thriving agri-business, but they’ve helped get their families out of extreme poverty and are building sustainable livelihoods.
Jacqueline, Devothe, and Athanasie are now paying for their childrens’ school tuition, investing in essentials for their household such as cookware, utensils, and curtains, and they’ve even installed small solar-powered lights on their roofs to provide light indoors at night. Additionally, each of them have planted their own household gardens, helping to grow nutritious food and eat more consistent meals together as a family.
“We haven’t reached our potential yet. But you can already see the progress we’ve made,” says Jacqueline, commenting on how incredibly proud she feels about their journey.
Now, they’re paying it forward. “There are some women who are coming to learn from us, and it feels very motivational,” says Devothe. “We want to make an impact in our community by teaching others how to farm.” For three women who previously felt isolated from their community, they’re now seen as leaders and are actively teaching other women the skills they’ve learned through Village Enterprise.
As they look to the future, Jacqueline, Devothe, and Athanasie are immensely hopeful. Currently, they farm on rented plots, but they’re saving up to purchase their own land. They’re also saving for a bicycle to more easily transport produce to customers, and hope to buy two more cows so each family has one of their own.
“I feel like a strong woman, and tomorrow feels bright,” says Devothe.
The future of climate-smart agriculture at Village Enterprise
Currently, Village Enterprise is testing and refining the climate-smart agriculture components in the Rulindo District of Rwanda. However, based on the training’s early success, Village Enterprise’s long-term goal is to incorporate climate-smart agriculture into the standard curriculum across Rwanda and all the other countries of operation. Despite the recent funding cuts in the international development space which have slowed this progress, Village Enterprise remains committed to scaling this important intervention to ensure our rural entrepreneurs have the best resources for their businesses to thrive.
Want to learn more about how Village Enterprise is using entrepreneurship to end extreme poverty in rural Africa? Check out our poverty graduation model.