New head of FAO Rwanda discusses KnoWat project with Ambassador of Germany
On 25 August 2022, the newly appointed FAO Country Representative in Rwanda, Ms Coumba Dieng Sow, paid a courtesy visit to the German Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, together with the National coordinator of the Knowing Water Better (KnoWat) project, Mr Joseph Bizima. Ms Sow and Mr Bizima met with the Ambassador of Germany to Rwanda Dr Thomas Kurz. Mr Phillippe Taflinski, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy also took part in the meeting.
Ms Sow expressed her appreciation for the German government in supporting the KnoWat project, which is implemented by FAO in collaboration with Rwanda Water Resources Board and Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board. She emphasized that the KnoWat project has been successful in Rwanda, citing an example of good water management practices realized in Yanze, Rulindo district. She pointed out that in Yanze, the KnoWat project supports local water management solutions through a cooperative of vegetable growers (YAHOPROC) and has provided solar powered irrigation pumps, as well as assisted in diversification of farming practices by donating fish fingerlings and pigs. As the activities have generated more income and improved livelihoods in Yanze, the project has been appreciated by the local communities and district authorities.
The ambassador echoed the project’s success and expressed an interest in harnessing strong synergies between the German Government and FAO in future too. He said that the government of Germany looked forward to supporting the current initiatives and those lying ahead, with a focus on climate action.