Twitezimbere Rubyiruko Busasamana Youth Group based in Rwinkwavu Sector of Kayonza District is making significant impact by by promoting vegetable and fruit farming to improve the livelihoods of its members and the surrounding community

The group was formed on January 12, 2022 with 20 total members, comprised of 13 females and 7 males, who were all working toward achieving a common goal that includes: creating jobs through horticulture, supporting at-risk young mothers, and working to combat malnutrition.

The decision to form this group stemmed from the need to find a solution to poverty amongst young people through a government initiative aimed at giving young people the opportunity to try their hand at investing in agriculture and livestock. The group’s members agreed to begin small by saving 1,000 Rwandan Francs each per week.

In the last 3 years, notable advancements have happened in the group. They created more jobs for youth, produced vegetables/fruits for improved nutrition, assisted young mothers, and increased agriculture in the community.

Each young woman in the group's community purchased a sewing machine so that she could earn an income while the young men in the group bought land and began construction on affordable rural housing.

However, some issues remain, including limited access to reliable market outlets, the impacts of variations in weather, limited equipment available to grow local food, little or no training in growing vegetables or fruit, little or no means to irrigate their crop(s), and an insufficient capacity to assist all young mothers in the community who require assistance.

To overcome these challenges members, contribute individually to ensure that their produce reaches the market, keeping track of the weather to help them farm effectively, cooperating with investors and other individuals who are knowledgeable about agriculture, and working with other groups in order to access the training they need.

They are also farming as close to water as possible so they can irrigate their crops.

The group is also looking for opportunities to increase their productivity by developing their skills through training programs, obtaining study tours and participating in agricultural expos like those that take place in Mulindi. They would like to obtain better farming tools, develop their market connections and build relationships that will help motivate the young mothers that got involved in agricultural development.

The success of the Twitezimbere Rubyiruko Busasamana project shows how youth can positively impact an agricultural program's success and the community's development by working together effectively.