Agriculture is embedded in the culture of the people of Rwanda. In fact, about 67 percent of Rwandans are employed in agriculture, with arable land covering over 1.56 million hectares of the country.
But with Rwanda’s population set to rise from 10.5 million in 2012 to 16.9 million by 2032, demand for food will likewise soar. At the same time, the amount of arable land is likely to diminish with the country’s cities steadily expanding. Agricultural innovations, that focus on ensuring higher productivity in smaller spaces, is needed if Rwanda’s agricultural sector is to continue meeting the food needs of the country. Enter a new way of growing food without soil and less water: aeroponics.
Aeroponics is a climate-friendly way of planting in which roots are suspended in the air and grow in a humid environment. No soil is involved. Instead the plants are sprayed with water and nutrient solution. This technique enables farmers to control humidity, temperature, pH and water conductivity inside a greenhouse.
Meet the pioneer
When Apollinaire Karegeya found out about aeroponics, he recognised that it could increase food production and do so in a sustainable way. Apollinaire comes from a family of potato farmers, who have always practised traditional farming. But with low crop productivity due to the climatic conditions, he knew the difficulties of providing a secure source of food for his local community. Apollinaire was hungry for new skills and knowledge that he could use to improve his farm.
“I started going to government partners who were working with the farmers in the country. One day one of the government partners offered me a training opportunity in Europe. That is when I first encountered aeroponics,” Apollinaire says.
“I was amazed by this soilless technology. It prevents diseases and increases productivity. After the week-long trainings, I was convinced that this was going to be good.”
Innovation, innovation, innovation!
With further support from the government and its partners, Apollinaire began farming potatoes through greenhouse aeroponics in 2015 and has been a pioneer of the aeroponic system in Rwanda ever since. Through aeroponics, he now multiplies potato seedlings, some of which he then plants on his farm to grow potatoes and others which he sells to other farmers to plant on their farms. Apollinaire grows about 2 500 plantlets in his greenhouse, which produces potatoes in 2.5 months.
“Since it is not rotational farming, I grow three times a year. When the nutrients are well regulated, you can be assured of the yield. This wasn’t the case with growing in open fields where you’re at the mercy of nature,” he says.
