Today, we’re speaking with a representative from Movimento per la Lotta contro la Fame nel Mondo (MLFM) an international NGO working to promote human rights, food security, and sustainable development. MLFM is partnering with Gicumbi District on a new project called SUSTAIN-RW, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The project will focus on sustainable agriculture and irrigation in Giti Sector, particularly in Muhere Cell. Let's learn more about the project and what it means for the local community.

Interviewer: To begin, could you please introduce yourself and tell us more about the organization you represent—MLFM? What is its background, mission, and scope of work, particularly here in Rwanda?

MLFM: Movimento per la Lotta contro la Fame nel Mondo (MLFM) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in 1964 in Italy. MLFM is committed to promoting and protecting human rights, fighting poverty, and fostering sustainable development both in Italy and abroad. Guided by principles of solidarity, justice, and human dignity, the organization focuses on building long-term partnerships with local communities and institutions to implement inclusive and impactful development programs.
MLFM has been active in Rwanda since 1987, bringing extensive expertise in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector. It is currently implementing WASH and integrated interventions that combine food security with sustainable agriculture in the Eastern Province. These efforts aim to improve access to safe water, sanitation services, and nutritious food for vulnerable populations, especially in rural communities.
In Rwanda, MLFM works closely with local authorities, civil society organizations, and international partners to promote community-led development, environmental sustainability, and resilience against climate and economic shocks.

Interviewer: Could you explain the new partnership between MLFM and Gicumbi District? What is the main focus and purpose of the project you will be implementing together?
MLFM: We are going to implement a project financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) called SUSTAIN-RW: Sustainable Agriculture and Irrigation for Food Security in Rwanda, to be implemented in Giti Sector, Muhere Cell. Approved in May by the donor, the project focuses on improving food security in the local community of Muhere Cell by increasing agricultural productivity through sustainable and irrigated agriculture.
The project will address issues such as erosion control and hilly agriculture improvement through the creation of radical terraces and a high-altitude irrigation system. It will also include training on sustainable agriculture, water harvesting techniques, and nutritional education.

Interviewer: Who are the other partners involved in the SUSTAIN-RW project, and what roles will they play?
MLFM: The project is being implemented in partnership with the following institutions and organizations:

• Imbaraga Farmers Organization (based in Kigali, Rwanda)

• University of Bolzano (Faculties of Engineering and Agronomy), based in Italy

• Maggioli Spa, an Italian private company for AI implementation

• Nardon Srl, an Italian private company for irrigation system use and maintenance

Interviewer: Could you describe the specific activities and interventions the project will carry out on the ground?
MLFM: The project will:

• Rehabilitate a decommissioned hydroelectric dam in Giti Sector and develop a pipeline to irrigate hillsides

• Create radical terraces to control soil erosion

• Provide training for District and Sector technical staff and the local community in sustainable agriculture and water harvesting techniques

• Train staff at the Tanda Health Center on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition

In addition, we will construct hillside terraces and install an irrigation system that utilizes the rehabilitated dam. New agricultural technologies will enhance productivity, and the use of weather stations and real-time data sensors will support resource management. Artificial intelligence will analyze this data to monitor crops and predict potential risks.
Technical training will be provided to Imbaraga and District technicians, who will then pass on their knowledge to Rural Facilitators and the wider community through the Farmer Field School approach. The training will be complemented by the distribution of improved seeds.
On the nutrition side, health center staff and Community Health Workers (CHWs) will be trained to enhance early diagnosis of malnutrition and anemia.

Interviewer: When is the project scheduled to start, and what is its expected duration?
MLFM: The project is scheduled to begin in January 2026 and will run for 36 months.

Interviewer: Why was Gicumbi District selected as the project location, and why is the partnership with local authorities important?
MLFM: We identified a significant need in Giti Sector, particularly in Muhere Cell. After engaging with Gicumbi District authorities—who expressed strong interest and support—we began developing the project over a year ago. Their involvement helped us align the project with local priorities.
We also have a history of successful collaboration with Gicumbi District, which has built mutual trust. Notably, MLFM constructed a dam in Muhere Cell in 1987, which over time became non-functional. We saw an opportunity to rehabilitate this dam and turn it into a valuable asset for the local community and farmers.

Interviewer: Could you specify the exact geographical focus of the project?
MLFM: The project will be implemented in Giti Sector, specifically in Muhere Cell.

Interviewer: How will the project be implemented, and in what ways will the local population benefit from these interventions?
MLFM: The project addresses key challenges related to food security, agricultural productivity, and environmental sustainability. By introducing radical terraces and a modern irrigation system powered by a rehabilitated dam, we aim to boost yields and prevent soil erosion.
Training on sustainable agriculture and water harvesting will equip local farmers with practical skills, while nutrition-focused activities will improve health outcomes.
The combination of modern technology, community engagement, and capacity building will increase resilience to climate change and contribute to long-term development in Muhere Cell.

Interviewer: Will this project create employment opportunities? If so, how many people do you expect to benefit?
MLFM: The project is not directly focused on job creation but rather on improving living conditions and food security. However, it includes capacity-building efforts. We will train 128 households on irrigation system use and maintenance, and 1,243 households on sustainable agriculture and water harvesting techniques.