The City of Kigali, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and partners have launched a campaign to plant fruit trees per household and establishment of youth-centered model fruit orchards in Kigali.

According to the ministry of agriculture, the establishment of youth-centred model fruit orchards City of Kigali and secondary cities will focus on capacity building, infrastructure development (seedling nurseries), and market linkage facilitation to ensure the successful adoption of fruit tree cultivation and consumption of fruits at household level.

The initiative to plant five fruit trees per household in Kigali kicked off in Kicukiro District with planting 1000 fruit tree seedlings including avocado, mango, orange, citrus, and guava trees.

There are about 488,868 households in Kigali City.

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Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, the City&039;s spokesperson, said: "The City of Kigali's goal to encourage Kigalians to plant at least three million trees over the next five years, whether they’re indigenous or fruit-bearing, is ambitious yet inspiring.

Trees play a vital role in cleaning our air. A mature tree can absorb up to 48 pounds (22 kilograms) of CO2 every year, which helps reduce pollution and improve air quality. Even a single avocado tree can make a difference, benefiting both the environment and nearby residents."

The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe says the initiative to plant five trees for every household is designed to combat malnutrition and promote agricultural development.

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"We have a programme called 'Five Trees for Every Household,' aimed at ensuring that every family has fruit trees such as mangoes, avocados, lemons, oranges, and papayas.

This initiative is focused on eradicating malnutrition and encouraging fruit-based agriculture," he said.

Bagabe explained that the programme will create job opportunities for young people, who will be actively involved in planting the trees.

Rwf18 billion investment

The ‘Five Fruit Trees Per Household’ programme will cost over Rwf18 billion in the next five years.

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Oscar Nzabonimpa, the Executive Director of APEFA, an organisation dealing with environmental degradation which is the implementing partner of the Five Fruit Trees per Household initiative said the fruit trees will improve nutrition, enhance climate resilience and empower households economically.

He noted that the 11 million fruit trees being distributed within 11 districts are resistant to climate change and have the capacity to produce a lot of fruits.

The districts targeted are Rutsiro, Ngororero, Nyamasheke, and Rubavu, in Western Province, Gicumbi in Northern Province, as well as Ngoma, Kayonza, and Kirehe in Eastern Province, and Nyaruguru and Nyamagabe, in Southern Province, as well as in the City of Kigali.

Nyagatare, Huye and Musanze districts are also considered "model fruit orchards.”

Concorde Nsengumuremyi, the Director General of Rwanda Forestry Authority, said that Rwanda is going to plant 65 million trees including agro-forestry and fruit trees.

"The trees in Kigali city will help clean the air in addition to combating malnutrition," he said.