On the 8th and the 15th November, 2022, awareness campaigns were conducted in Nyanza cell, Cyanika sector and Nzega cell Gasaka sector respectively, in Nyamagabe district. The campaigns were organized in the climate resilient agriculture (CRA) project conducted in partnership with CCOAIB funded by the EUROPEAN COMMISSION (EC). The campaigns were organized on the occasion of tree planting periods. Various community organs were present in the activity. Those include the district official in charge of cash crops, Executive secretaries and the agronomist of Gasaka and Cyanika sectors, cell officials, cell environment committees, trained youth, children and a good number of community members in the above areas. Each of the above days was started by the activity of planting agroforestry trees (Grevillea and Leucena) in one identified risky area in the cell. Community members, leaders and stakeholder present were motivated by the activity, as it was responding to community need of protecting the soil against erosion. The activity was considerably facilitated by the cell environment committee members supported by IPFG officers.

Photo: Nzega cell Environment committee members are distributing agroforestry trees to plant in community works

Photo: Nyamagabe district cash crop officer is planting for terrace protection

Photo: District, sector officers, RAB representative and community members are planting agroforestry trees for soil protection
After planting activity, there was a meeting with community members local leaders, and RAB representative. The meeting aimed at discussing different interventions at community level that can be implemented, to be resilient to climate change. Those activities are resumed in the Rwandan Nationally Determined Contribution to climate change adaptation an mitigation (NDCS). From the topic, the following subjects were discussed:
• Climate change (causes and effects in the area)
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation measures
• Tangible activities communities are implementing to adapt and mitigate climate change effects
• Agroforestry tree husbandry.
To each subject, some questions were asked, and the best to respond to questions were awarded with agriculture tools. Discussions were facilitated by RAB officer (Nyamagabe station), District cash crop officer, sector Executive secretary and IPFG coordinator.

Photo: Awareness campaign discussions in Cyanika sector

Photo: RAB representative is asking NDCs related question to community members

Photo: District officer is charge of cash crops is revealing advantages of planting agroforestry trees including fruit trees

Photo: IPFG coordinator is awarding Virginie who responded well

Photo: Awareness event picture with best responders and guests
After the meeting, it was time for distributing trees to community members, to plant in their farms. Before distribution, technicians (cash crop officer, RAB representative, and IPFG field officer), did a short presentation on how to plant trees, tree spacing depending on species, and tree husbandry techniques in general. In total, 40,900 agroforestry trees were planted in identified risky areas and in community farms. Those trees include Grevillea, leucena, tree tomatoes, passion fruits and guava.

Photo: district cash crop officer is showing farmers how to plant trees
To conclude the event, sector Executive secretaries were thanked a lot the CRA project contribution in adaptation to climate change effects, and advising community members to care on the trees and other project deliverables.