In April 2018, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a five-year, $32 million project to support agricultural growth and resiliency across Rwanda. The project, called Feed the Future Rwanda Hinga Weze, aimed to sustainably increase smallholder farmers' income, improve the nutritional status of women and children, and increase the resilience of Rwanda's agricultural and food systems to a changing climate. During the project’s five-year timeframe, Hinga Weze employees managed the development of a solar-powered irrigation infrastructure to ensure the even distribution of water and proper equipment functioning. In addition to establishing solar irrigation systems, project managers facilitated the formation of cooperatives among smallholder farmers and empowered them to take over operations. Since the project’s end, community-run solar irrigation schemes have emerged, with local smallholder farmers taking charge.
In November 2023, DWFI’s team in Rwanda conducted assessments of six community-run solar irrigation farming cooperatives to understand their transition after the Hinga Weze program phased out. We encountered a diverse range of outcomes: some cooperatives thrived, demonstrating efficient management practices and strong leadership, while others faced significant hurdles in operations, such as equipment maintenance, water distribution, and financial sustainability. This variability underscored the critical role of cooperative leadership in determining the success and resilience of these schemes.
Understanding Cooperative Dynamics
Cooperatives formed around these solar-irrigated farm fields are typically comprised of around 50 members. At the heart of these community-run solar irrigation schemes are elected cooperative leaders, who are tasked with guiding their communities toward joint prosperity. Chosen every three years through elections, these leaders hold the key to the effective management and use of the local solar irrigation resources. Their commitment to serving the needs of their fellow farmers and fostering a culture of accountability is paramount in navigating operational challenges. Common responsibilities for cooperative leaders include negotiating markets and providing fertilizers and seeds to farmers, among others. Additionally, leaders must recruit and integrate new members to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the farming cooperative.
The TWIMURU Cooperative Example: A Model of Effective Leadership
Among the post-Hinga Weze community-run solar irrigation farms we evaluated, a cooperative of 62 smallholder farmers called TWIMURU, which mainly grows fruits and vegetables, emerged as a standout example of effective leadership in action. Once plagued by neglect and inefficiency, TWIMURU underwent a remarkable transformation.
During our initial visit to this cooperative in November 2022, it was on the verge of collapse due to mismanagement. This led to division among members, each focusing solely on their own needs, and resulted in neglect of the cooperative’s irrigation equipment and frequent incidents of theft and destruction.
The first significant change occurred with the introduction of new leadership. Elected in 2023, the new leaders of TWIMURU Cooperative took on a profound responsibility: to prioritize the needs of their fellow members above all else. The days of self-serving leadership that had fostered neglect among the farmers were left behind. Instead, a new ethos emerged, characterized by a commitment to service, equality and respect. The new leaders implemented a fair and organized approach for decision-making regarding which crops to grow each season. This collective decision-making process ensured that the cooperative could access collective markets such as Farm Fresh and Green Farm, which purchase chili peppers and green beans on a large scale. Unlike in the past, when each farmer had to find their own market, this collective approach fostered a sense of unity and responsibility among cooperative members.
Moreover, the cooperative leaders scheduled biweekly in-person meetings where members could freely express their concerns and ideas. This proactive communication strategy greatly enhanced cooperation and collaboration within the cooperative, further strengthening its effectiveness and resilience.
Upon revisiting the cooperative in November 2023, the transformation was evident. What was once a dysfunctional irrigation scheme had flourished into a model of efficiency and productivity. Moses Hategekimana, a member and leader of the cooperative, confirmed the significant shift, highlighting the leadership's dedication to serving the collective. He said a good cooperative leader wasn't just someone in a position of authority, but someone who embodied the values of consideration of others, fairness and accountability. He also emphasized the importance of leaders who not only abide by cooperative rules, but also hold themselves accountable to the same standards as other cooperative members.
Through their dedication to service and community engagement, TWIMURU's leaders revitalized the cooperative, making it an example of resilience and success in the face of adversity.
Impact on Smallholder Farmers
Strong leadership at TWIMURU led to improved water access, higher crop yields and better food security for all members. Under this new leadership, a sense of ownership developed among the smallholder farmers. They began to view the irrigation equipment not just as communal assets, but as extensions of their own livelihoods. Consequently, the destruction of equipment dwindled, replaced by a shared responsibility to safeguard the tools that facilitated their prosperity. To ensure the efficient management of resources, TWIMURU implemented a system of organized water distribution, with members rotating irrigation responsibilities. Training sessions provided by Hinga Weze project managers equipped farmers with the skills needed for minor repairs, while major maintenance issues were promptly addressed by technical experts. Financial sustainability also contributed to TWIMURU's success. Through monthly fees from members and land renters, the cooperative established a robust financial mechanism to cover operational costs such as security, repairs, and maintenance.
Leadership as the Cornerstone of Sustainability
As we reflect on the journey of community-run solar irrigation schemes post-Hinga Weze, it is evident that effective cooperative leadership is essential for their success and sustainability. By empowering communities to take ownership of their agricultural resources and fostering a culture of accountability, cooperative leaders lay the foundation for a brighter, more resilient future for smallholder farmers. Looking ahead, it is imperative to continue investing in leadership development within agricultural cooperatives, as strong leadership remains the cornerstone of sustainable agricultural development in rural agricultural areas similar to Rwanda's Eastern Province.