Rwanda’s rural youth transform chilli farming into jobs and prosperity through AGRA support
In Rwamagana District, a new generation of young farmers is reshaping the future of agriculture. What began as small informal gatherings of unemployed youth has grown into thriving chilli farming enterprises, thanks to AGRA’s youth-focused interventions implemented by AEE-Rwanda, with Mastercard Foundation as AGRA’s principal partner in driving agri-food systems transformation and job creation for young people.
In Nzige Sector, the youth group “Dukorere Hamwe” embodies this shift. The group began with 20 young members cultivating 32 ares of marshland in Nyirabidibiri. Today, they have expanded to 27 members and are farming 60 ares, producing high-quality chilli for a guaranteed market.
“Our group started without any knowledge,” says group leader Nzabandora Ildephonse. “AGRA and AEE taught us modern farming. Many of us were unemployed when we started, but today we create jobs. During harvest, we employ at least 40 workers. If we continue with this support, we know prosperity is within reach.”
The group strengthened its savings culture and collective investment practices, enabling them to purchase essential inputs, expand their production area, and grow their business.
“Our goal is to grow from 62 ares to 3 hectares so we can create even more jobs for youth,” Ildephonse adds. “Before AGRA, our crops would rot in the garden. Today, buyers wait for our produce nothing goes to waste.”
Access to modern farming skills, high-quality seeds, and proper post-harvest handling tools has also increased community trust.
“Our parents used this land traditionally and harvested very little. When they saw our results, they trusted us with more land,” he explains.
From Household Chores to Job Creator: Ernestine’s Story
At just 24 years old, Bampire Ernestine is proving how opportunity and mentorship can unlock a young woman’s potential. After observing the success of the Dukorere Hamwe group, she was inspired to follow their path.
“Before this project, I thought chilli farming was for wealthy people,” she recalls. After receiving training under the AGRA-supported project and seeing how the group accessed buyers, she approached her parents for land and began farming on 17 ares. Her first harvest was profitable enough to allow her to lease more land.
Today, Ernestine farms 32 ares and expects 4–5 tonnes of chilli this season.“I used to wash dishes and cook in people’s homes. I earned nothing,” she says. “Now I am confident, smart, independent and I employ four workers who each earn 30,000 RWF a month. This project changed my life.”
In Mwulire Sector, Tuyizere Eric also drew inspiration from the success of his group. Seeing group members access reliable markets and apply modern farming techniques motivated him to scale his own ambitions.
After receiving comprehensive training and benefiting from AGRA-supported market linkages, Eric used his initial earnings from the group as startup capital. He then secured additional financing, leased a full hectare of land, and ventured into commercial chilli production.
“AGRA and AEE trained us professionally. They gave us tools that reduce post-harvest losses,” he explains. Equipped with drying nets, sheeting, and protective materials, his productivity has soared. He has already harvested two tonnes and counting.
“They told us a hectare can produce 18 tonnes. I am already harvesting about a tonne a week, I know it’s possible,” he says proudly.
A Model Ready for Wider Impact
In Rwamagana alone, 18 youth groups are benefitting from this AGRA–AEE initiative. The project strengthens access to quality inputs, improves post-harvest handling, links youth to reliable exporters, and unlocks new employment opportunities across the chilli value chain.
This work is made possible through AGRA’s partnership with Mastercard Foundation, a key driver of youth employment and agri-food systems transformation in Africa.
As Ernestine puts it “There is money in agriculture. Young people should not sit at home with diplomas opportunities are right here in the fields.”
This is the future that AGRA and Mastercard Foundation are nurturing: youth-led, market-ready, and full of promise.
With modern skills and market access, AGRA and Mastercard Foundation are enabling youth-led agribusiness to thrive
From small plots to reliable markets: Dukorere Hamwe youth group proves agriculture can create decent work
Rural youth in Rwamagana are turning chilli farming into jobs, income, and a new future for agriculture
