The Regional Research Centre for Integrated Development (RCID Ltd), in collaboration with the Africa Circular Economy Network (ACEN), has undertaken a training as part of the Circular Food Systems Program in Rwanda. These trainings aim to empower Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) engaged in crop and livestock farming with the necessary knowledge and skills to integrate regenerative practices while promoting circularity within their operations.
The training encompassed both theoretical knowledge and practical demonstrations, targeting specific training sessions and visits to demonstration farms. By doing so, the aim is to catalyze the transition of SMEs towards sustainable agricultural practices, thereby fostering long-term success and resilience within the agricultural sector in Rwanda.
1. Aquaponics farming system at NjordFrey, SME
NjordFrey provides tech-enabled aquaponic farming solutions to empower millions of smallholder farmers to achieve income and food security. This is achieved through core activities including designing and building aquaponic farming solutions for the context of rural Rwanda. The current design is for 40 farmers to run a one-hectare-sized farm with our support, design, build, and integrate a digital monitoring system that measures the health of fish/crops/water within the system to support farmers in maximizing the yield/revenue of the farm, secure reliable channels for inputs such as seeds, fish feed, peat moss, supplements, electricity (via solar power) as well as selling fish/crop produce to local markets and wholesalers to ensure revenue. However, NjordFrey’s operational challenges are intricately linked to the circular economy principles, which aim to maximize resource use and minimize waste through the continual use of resources. The issues identified, such as inefficient nutrient cycling, high energy requirements, dependency on quality inputs, and waste management, highlight gaps in achieving a fully circular system within their aquaponics operations.
2. Rwanda Biosolution Ltd, SME
BioSolution, a Rwandan SME founded in 2015 in Bugesera district, focuses on converting organic waste into fertilizers. Despite its innovative approach, the company struggles with inconsistent raw material supply, inefficiencies in manual waste sorting, and high operational costs, limiting its growth. To address these challenges, the Rwanda Circularity Innovation and Development (RCID) has launched a technical assistance (TA) program from July to December 2024. This program aims to strengthen BioSolution's capacity to produce high-quality organic fertilizers by providing comprehensive training and integrating circularity principles into its business model.
The RCID's support is centered on enhancing BioSolution’s expertise in waste management, segregation, recycling, and composting techniques, particularly for the company's seven key staff members. Additionally, the program will guide the SME in incorporating rabbit urine to enrich compost quality, adopting circular practices in rabbit rearing, and applying best practices in animal husbandry. Further training will focus on optimizing crop production through regenerative agriculture practices and climate-smart agribusiness techniques, especially for cabbage and maize. This TA initiative is designed to help BioSolution address its current challenges by improving product consistency and operational efficiency, leading to better marketability, circular food system integration, and sustainable growth. Through this partnership, RCID aims to support BioSolution’s mission to enhance agricultural sustainability and contribute to economic growth in local communities.
3. Glory Poultry Farm Ltd
Glory Poultry Farm, a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Rwanda, is engaged in both crop production and livestock farming. The farm cultivates a variety of crops, including maize, bananas, rice, and various horticultural crops such as French beans, tomatoes, watermelon, and beans. Additionally, the farm is involved in livestock farming, primarily raising pigs, cows, and poultry. One of the significant challenges faced by Glory Poultry Farm is the inefficient production of compost, which is crucial for meeting the required quantity and quality of organic fertilizer. This challenge is compounded by the need for faster composting processes and the need for quality mixes of waste and humidity. Moreover, the farm experiences constraints related to the transportation of farm residues, particularly maize and rice.
To address these issues, RCID provided technical assistance to Glory Poultry Farm, focusing on optimizing the integration of livestock rearing and crop farming. This support included training programs for 40 casual and professional staff members on circular animal feed production and best practices in animal production, as well as training on regenerative and smart agricultural practices for maize, banana, and horticultural crops.
RCID also offered technical support in implementing new circular technologies through mentorship and coaching, helping the farm adopt innovations such as market business strategies, value-added processing, and water access technologies. Additionally, hands-on training was provided for site labor and technicians on waste management, compost-making, bio-fertilizer production, and other compost-making techniques. Through these interventions, RCID aims to assist Glory Poultry Farm in overcoming challenges related to compost production, waste management, and circular farming practices, ultimately enhancing the farm's productivity and sustainability.
4. ACEN/NEXT FARM
Next Farm, a dynamic SME located in the Bushoki sector of Rwanda’s Rulindo district, engages in a diverse range of activities. These include agriculture focusing on crops like maize, which is rotated with beans and potatoes, along with banana, avocado, and orange cultivation—livestock farming, primarily pig farming, and compost manufacturing. The SME also processes pig sausage, aiming to contribute to a sustainable increase in production while reducing costs through circular farming practices. However, despite these efforts, the farm faces significant challenges in achieving the desired quantity and quality of compost. The challenges stem from a lack of skills in circular economy principles, inefficiencies in the composting technology used, and difficulties in achieving the right mix of waste and humidity for compost production.
To overcome these hurdles, RCID has been providing technical assistance to Next Farm from November 2023 to May 2024. This support includes the introduction of advanced compost-making technologies, which are crucial for enhancing the farm's production capacity and increasing the biomass available for composting. Compost production has been significantly enhanced, with increased quantities and improved quality, guided by due diligence on the best technologies suited for the farm's waste types. Additionally, the processing and marketing of pig sausage have been supported, with a focus on adopting circular business models that emphasize resource efficiency and recycling. Through these interventions, Next Farm is poised to achieve its goals of increased production and commercial success, all while contributing to sustainable agriculture and waste management practices.
Moreover, Next Farm has received TA from RCID on achieving certification and developing a market for its compost products. Training on regenerative practices in crop production has been implemented, leading to improved soil health and better crop yields. In pig farming, circularity has been embraced, with technical support provided for better feed formulation and data recording, ensuring the farm maximizes the use of resources.