World Connect

Nangimbibi Community's Potato Business

Year: 2016

Country: Rwanda

Project Status: Funded

Impact Sector: Economic Opportunity

Project Investment: $3,819.00

Project Launch: 1-17-17

Nangimbibi is composed of 84 households totaling 360 people. 46 households out of 84 are supported by the government. The community suffers from extensive soil erosion in the rainy season which often leads to hunger epidemics. Most community members do not possess an adequate amount of land to feed their families and as a result are only able to eat once a day or once every two days. Due to these challenges, the community has decided start a potato farming project. This project will provide funds the community will use to purchase land, potato seeds, and manure. With increased health and household income generated from potato harvesting, the community will set itself on the path to pursue other development initiatives and increase quality of life.

Final Report: 6-6-17

After a difficult first harvest season, with major setbacks such as heavy and destructive rains, the Nangimbibi potato project has built a more extensive mitigation strategy for unpredictable weather. The project helped the community raise funds to rent land and improve their harvests significantly. The harvest season allowed for community members to eat two meals per day. The potato business created funds for the community to buy 33 pigs for increased access to manure. A pig disease in the region means that the community will instead continue this tactic with sheep in the future. The excess funds risen by this project will be used to rent more land and buy sheep for every member in July. As a result of this project, the Nangimbibi community has seen tremendous increase in income and wellbeing.