Belange Byiringiro and his colleagues at Kayonza based cooperative ‘PYAM’ designed a “mobile irrigated garden” that can solve food insecurity and malnutrition, if used effectively. On two metres by two metres area, for instance, eight kilogrammes of lettuce can be harvested each week. This garden, crafted from recycled plastic bottles and wood, is ideal for growing shallow-rooted vegetables and fruits. As the name says, these are mobile, making it easier for people renting houses for a short time or those with small pieces of land to eat a healthy and affordable meal regularly. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s agricultural produce up by 300,000 tonnes They presented their project alongside other innovators and entrepreneurs with different innovations at a recent agriculture show. Another recent commendable innovation is how rice farmers in Cyimpima marshland in Rwamagana District adopted an innovative integrated rice and fish farming method that helps them increase yields and cut production expenses. In this case, the fish eat weeds and pests, thereby helping in weed control and reducing insect damage in the rice fields. Fish compost also serves as fertilizer, thus improving the cultivation of rice. ALSO READ: How integrated rice, fish farming helps farmers increase yields in Rwamagana What’s more is that instead of rice or fish, farmers are able to get both, which is not only good for their pockets, but for the community too, because fish is a great source of minerals. Although Rwanda doesn’t fully depend on agriculture, it makes a big part of the country’s economy, and the majority of the Rwandan population are engaged in it. It would be a shame if food insecurity is not eliminated as soon as possible. Innovation is perhaps the most sustainable way to achieve zero hunger.
