More partnerships, direct demand of technologies and practices by scaling partners, increased knowledge, targets exceeded on women and youth, among others.
Over the past two years (2022–2024), the Great Lakes Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative Rapid Delivery Hub (AID-I GLR) has fundamentally contributed to reshaping agricultural technology dissemination across Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Rwanda.
Designed to confront the numerous challenges faced by the region’s smallholder farmers such as the ongoing food and fertilizer crisis, and limited land access and productivity, the project leverages strategic partnerships and innovative approaches to realize tangible change.
AID-I GLR harnessing the power of the collective, building on pre-existing and wide-ranging partners and their extensive networks, formed seven partnership consortia, tapping into partners’ deep-rooted presence in local communities to confer immediate trust.
This aids effective and rapid dissemination of agricultural technologies and innovations. The seven consortia bring together 46 scaling partners comprising innovation developers, market actors, support services and scaling organizations. For a single pictorial snapshot of AID-I GLR by numbers, see our infographic.
Central to this success was collaboration with CGIAR centers – CIAT, CIP, IITA, ILRI, IRRI, and WorldVeg and respective national research institutes to package and adapt technologies suitable for local contexts, and as demanded by scaling partners.
Farmers tested these innovations in their own plots, leading to informed adoption decisions.
Through integration, training and capacity-building, local extension personnel and seed-system practitioners were equipped to sustainably deliver essential knowledge directly to farming communities. As a result, in the second year of the project, on average, farmers demonstrating correct knowledge of recommended practices rose more than tenfold from 7% to upwards of 80% across the different countries and value chains.
Farmers who once struggled to access clean seeds now source them easily within their own communities. Viviane Manirafasha, a mother of twins, is one of the farmers who received a 500-gram pack of RWAR 2245 bean seeds from I&J Harvest Seed Company, a seed company working with AID-I GLR project to disseminate good agronomic practices in Rwanda.
Viviane, a farmer in Rwamagana District, Rwanda, recounted, “For the first time, I have access to clean seeds in my village! The difference in my crop yield has been remarkable. From just half a kilo of certified bean seeds, I harvested eight kilos. Previously, when planting five kilos of uncertified bean seeds, I struggled to even reach a 10-kilo yield.”
She continues, “When we harvested, we cooked it to taste, and it’s truly delicious—my whole family loved it! The cooking time is much shorter than other varieties: this one is ready in less than 20 minutes, while other beans take at least 40 minutes. This allows us to save both firewood and time for other household chores. I appreciate these seeds so much that I’ve set aside a few for future planting. I plan to plant them carefully, using the best agronomic practices and technologies like compost, and make sure the seeds are planted on time. At harvest, I look forward to sharing my experience with other farmers.”
In Rwanda, in year 2, the overall application rate of technologies and practices introduced through the project exceeded 90%, with maize at 92%, beans and potatoes at an impressive 96%, and orange-fleshed sweet potatoes (OFSP) at 93%. This outstanding application rate demonstrates the project’s success in engaging farmers, providing adequate training and support, and ensuring that the technologies are both accessible and applicable across Rwanda’s different farming regions.
In 2024, farmers across all the three countries reported dramatic yield increases compared to their usual practice. For instance, bean farmers recorded an increase of 196% in Burundi, 192% in DRC, and 97% in Rwanda. In addition to beans, maize and OFSP also posted impressive gains. Maize yields rose by 4.5 metric tons (MT) per hectare (ha) in Burundi (588%), 3.1 MT in DRC (258%), and 3.45 MT in Rwanda (223%).
These results demonstrate that the harvests align with the potential yields indicated by innovation developers, demonstrating the effectiveness of technologies and practices promoted across the three countries. The results also reveal the tremendous future efforts required to further bolster demand-driven rather than supply-driven seed systems to meet – and sustain – in-country farmer demand for high-yielding improved seeds. This is particularly pronounced in Burundi, whose seed systems need a massive boost.
Across the region, seed companies have expanded their reach and business by supplying hitherto unreached smallholder farmers with improved, high-quality seeds and advisory information. For example, in DRC, Herman Mutabataba, seed entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Agriforce, a seed company in South Kivu, said, “AID-I GLR Project connected us with agrodealers and Village-Based Advisors [see Burundi example], enabling us to scale up our production of clean seeds and reach smallholder farmers who need them most.”
Crops aside, the livestock sector is equally important. For example, in Burundi, in year 2, more than 2,000 cows were artificially inseminated with improved breeds, and 1,954 cows were vaccinated against theileriosis. Additionally, more than 3,500 households received improved breeds of layers to boost egg production and consumption. On average, each household received four layers.
Artificial insemination (AI) is crucial for livestock management as it enhances genetic selection by granting access to high-quality bulls that may otherwise be inaccessible. Furthermore, AI facilitates the development of new breeds through crossbreeding, thereby eliminating the need to purchase a bull. In parallel, the theileriosis vaccine is essential for preventing diseases that result in significant mortality and economic losses in animal production. AID-I GLR undertook these livestock interventions alongside fodder cultivation with Brachiaria mulato, nutrient-rich feed formulations (Block Lush), and fodder preservation methods.
The outcomes of these AI technologies have had a transformative effect on breeders’ socioeconomic status, as illustrated by Stephanie Munyerenkana of Katana Village, Kabare Territory, South Kivu Province, DRC. “Thanks to this practice, we now easily get 12 to 15 liters per milking day, unlike before, when we barely obtained 2 liters. We no longer use local bulls, reducing disease spread among animals and humans.” (More in this video)
AID-I GLR livestock interventions have also been instrumental in contributing to promoting gender equity and social inclusion by embracing the generally marginalized Batwa community and further eroding livestock gender barriers. Previously, women rarely owned livestock. But through sustained efforts and community outreach, more women now own livestock, and are engaged in breeding, animal health management, and AI services.
Overall, within just two years, one million-plus farming households across the three countries have been reached, with 1.5 million-plus farmers accessing improved agricultural, livestock, and nutritional technologies (see infographic).
The project has reached a remarkable 49% women and 18% youth farmers, surpassing its milestone for inclusive growth.
Regarding input systems, the initiative facilitated the sale of more than 8,700 metric tons of inputs across Burundi, DRC, and Rwanda valued at nearly USD 4 million, thereby strengthening local economies and systems for sustainability.
The AID-I GLR initiative has proven that through well-coordinated partnerships, targeted capacity building, and the integration of advisory services, smallholder farmers can access the resources and knowledge they need to enhance productivity and food security. Also, where seed systems are functional and other enabling factors – such as access to markets and credit – are implemented, the amply demonstrated positive appreciation by farmers of promoted technologies forms a strong foundation for adoption.
Links
Infographics: AID-I GLR across all three countries | Burundi | DRC | Rwanda
NEWSLETTER: Accelerating agricultural innovations delivery in the Great Lakes Region | Issue 4
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