Over the past two years, the districts of Nyamagabe and Gisagara in Rwanda’s Southern Province have received Frw 900 million through the Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Food Security Project II (SAIP II) to help reduce child malnutrition and stunting.
SAIP II is implemented by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and focuses on promoting sustainable agriculture and improving food security. The project is being implemented from 2024 to 2026 in 20 districts across Rwanda.
SAIP II Supports Nutrition Programmes
Under its nutrition component, SAIP II operates in Ngororero, Gisagara and Nyamagabe districts, where more than Frw 1.3 billion has been invested over the past two years.
Of this amount, Frw 900 million has been invested in Nyamagabe and Gisagara to address child stunting and improve nutrition among young children.
The project supports households and childcare centres with activities designed to increase access to nutritious food while also helping families improve their livelihoods.
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Families Benefit from Nutrition Support
In Nyamagabe District, Nzeyimana Laurent, a member of the Vision mushroom growing group in Cyanika Sector, said his child had been suffering from malnutrition.
Through SAIP II, he received chickens and mushroom-growing spawn, which helped his family access more nutritious food. He said his child eventually recovered and is now growing well.
In Gisagara District, Ikunde Uwimana, who manages a childcare centre for 20 children in Rugarama Village, Kansi Sector, said the centre had received support from SAIP II.
According to Uwimana, four children suffering from malnutrition have recovered. Parents have also been trained on how to prepare balanced meals for their children.
The centre has specialized equipment for monitoring children’s growth. Children are regularly measured, and those who need additional support are referred to health facilities.
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Childcare Centres Receive Agricultural Support
Mukantagara Jennifer, who manages a childcare centre for 25 children in Cyanika Sector, Nyamagabe District, said the centre received mushroom-growing spawn, nutrient-rich beans and improved sweet potato vines through the project.
She explained that the support has contributed to improving the children’s growth. “Previously, when we measured the children, we found that they were barely gaining weight, sometimes gaining only about 500 grams in a month. In addition to the food we provide here, parents have also developed a better understanding of how to prepare nutritious meals for their children.”
She added that two children who had been suffering from malnutrition have recovered and that the children continue to benefit both physically and intellectually while attending the centre.
Nyamagabe Reports a Decline in Malnutrition
Nyamagabe Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Uwimariya Agnes, said SAIP II has made an important contribution to reducing malnutrition among young children.
She said the district currently has 38 children suffering from malnutrition, compared with between 60 and 70 children before SAIP II interventions began.
Among children under two years of age, the current rate of poor growth is 11%, which officials said is lower than previously recorded.
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Most Supported Children in Gisagara Have Recovered
Gisagara District Mayor, Rutaburingoga Jerome, said the project has helped residents address both malnutrition and extreme poverty.
He said that of the 50 children who received support because of malnutrition, 47 have recovered, while three continue to be monitored because of other health conditions. “To eliminate malnutrition, SAIP II has helped residents work together to fight malnutrition as well as extreme poverty.”
He added that reducing extreme poverty can also contribute to reducing conflicts within families and communities.
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Thousands of Households Receive Support
Over the past two years, SAIP II has distributed 26,500 laying hens, 79,260 mushroom-growing spawn units and 1.6 million nutrient-rich sweet potato vines across Nyamagabe and Gisagara.
Some households have also received nutrient-rich beans, while model kitchen gardens have been established at childcare centres.
The project also encourages residents to save money through community savings groups, helping families strengthen their economic resilience while improving access to nutritious food.
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Project Activities to Continue
SAIP II’s nutrition activities will continue during the remaining months of the project.
The three districts covered by the nutrition component Nyamagabe, Gisagara and Ngororero have each been allocated Frw 150 million.
The interventions are intended to improve children’s nutrition, strengthen household livelihoods and contribute to reducing stunting by helping families access nutritious food and acquire knowledge and resources to support healthy child development.
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