In Nyagatare district, Harerimana Isaie is a good example of how professional agriculture can change the lives of young people and create jobs and support development. He is a farmer and beekeeper and the owner of Terimbere Muvumvu Ltd. He grows maize, onions, tomatoes, and cabbage, and also keeps modern beehives. He started these activities on March 22, 2002 with only five beehives.
After finishing secondary school in 2021, he found it difficult to get a job. he then decided to look for another way to improve his life. He approached local beekeepers in his home area of Nyagatare, who taught him how to practice beekeeping. He began with very small capital but was determined to learn and use the knowledge he gained.In a short time, his project grew, and today he owns 360 beehives.
To get his starting capital, Harerimana first worked as a casual laborer (Helper) on the construction site and saved the money he earned. Later, the sector gave him short-term work under VIUP program, where he earned 5000 Rwandan francs per day.
He combined this income with a small loan from a savings group. After that, he applied for a loan from the sector SACCO and received three million Rwandan francs, which he invested in farming and beekeeping.

He has made a profit of about seven million francs from the above activities, compensated the loan, and secured the profit.

He went into crop farming in 2023-he grew tomatoes and cabbage within the Nyagatare district but runs his beekeeping in both Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts. With these proceeds from farming and beekeeping, he purchased a 5-hectare piece of land in which he registered under his name.
His activity also creates jobs, particularly targeting the youth. Some of his workers save part of their salaries, and after six months, he helps them buy goats. So far, ten workers have received goats through this savings system. In addition, the local sector invites him to meetings to train other young people on farming and beekeeping, and some of them have started their own activities after receiving his advice.

He harvested a well-processed honey quantity of about five to six tons each year from his beekeeping activities. He grew tomatoes on three hectares, and maize on ten hectares of rented land.

He requested the government to lease unused public land to the youth so they can farm and improve their livelihoods. He also calls for loans with low interest rates for youth involved in agriculture, so they can grow their business

Advice to the young people:

Well-practiced agriculture leads to development if you put your heart into it. Today I fully live from agriculture. Start small, do not give up, and you will achieve success.

RYAF Communication Team