Agricultural researchers have urged graduates of the University of Rwanda’s College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences (CAFF) to bring their knowledge back to their home communities, rather than relying solely on government employment.
The call came during a research symposium on December 23, which showcased achievements of the DeSIRA project—an initiative that integrates agricultural research, extension services, and policy decision-making.
Participants, including young graduates known as Societal University Villages Initiatives ( SUVI) fellows, said the program has empowered them to create self-employment opportunities by addressing real challenges faced by local communities.
Gentille Umutoni, a graduate in Rural Development, explained that her research explored the link between poverty, stunting, and malnutrition.
“Our goal was to understand the relationship between poverty, stunting, and poor nutrition,” she said. “We conducted the project in seven districts of the Western Province, working directly with community members. We asked why, despite good agricultural production in the region, child stunting levels remain high.”
The findings revealed gaps in practical knowledge at the household level and a disconnect between government-identified opportunities and community realities. In response, the team supported households to establish kitchen gardens and trained them in poultry rearing to improve access to eggs, a key food in fighting child malnutrition.
Umutoni added that her academic background inspired her to initiate sustainable solutions in her home district of Ngororero.
“I asked myself what I could do so that my neighbors could access fertilizer, improve productivity, and earn income,” she said. “Given the local terrain, I found pig farming to be the most suitable solution. Today, I am engaged in pig rearing, supplying farmers and creating employment opportunities.”
Fils Daniel Kwizera, a graduate in Veterinary Medicine, emphasized the importance of combining indigenous knowledge with modern scientific training.
“Communities already possess knowledge passed down from their parents,” he said. “At university, we learn modern techniques that complement what farmers already know. By living and working closely with them, I identified challenges such as self-medication of animals, lack of disease knowledge, poor feeding practices, and low milk productivity.”
Through continuous training and engagement, Kwizera reported that milk production in Burera District increased significantly—from an average of three liters per cow per day to between five and eleven liters.
Désiré Mushumba, an FAO consultant, encouraged university graduates to embrace entrepreneurship and community service.
“The purpose of this initiative is to engage graduating students and encourage them to return to their communities, share their knowledge, and develop themselves economically,” Mushumba said.
“This approach reduces rural-to-urban migration, where job opportunities are limited and less productive compared to self-employment in rural areas,” he added.
Prof. Alfred Bizoza, a lecturer and researcher at the University of Rwanda’s School of Agriculture, highlighted that for the past seven years, the university has been deploying graduates to rural areas to work closely with farmers and livestock keepers.
“The University of Rwanda has prioritized bringing knowledge closer to communities,” he explained. “Graduates undergo three months of training in participatory research methods, followed by six months of field research to identify local challenges. This produces research outputs that inform solutions. In the final three months, graduates design and implement projects they believe can address the problems identified.”
He added that this approach aligns farmers with national agricultural strategies, improves access to information, and strengthens livelihoods.
The DeSIRA project currently operates in six districts—Burera, Rutsiro, Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Bugesera, and Ruhango. It is funded by the European Union through FAO and implemented by the University of Rwanda, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), and École Supérieure d’Agro-Développement International (ISTOM).
Immaculee Mutezimana / The Kaminuza Star