Ruhango District, Southern Province, 1 October 2026 — Cassava farmers in Buhoro Cell, Ruhango Sector, Ruhango District, are witnessing encouraging results from the use of the Zai Pit technology, which is being promoted under the SCORE Rwanda Project, funded by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) and supervised by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and implemented by the Ingabo Farmers’ Association.

The technology is being demonstrated as part of efforts to promote improved cassava production practices, enhance productivity, and support farmers in adopting more efficient and sustainable farming approaches.

The results were observed on a demonstration plot managed by Mrs. Fortunee Mukankundiye, where cassava plants grown using the Zai Pit technique produced substantially higher yields compared with those grown using the traditional farming method.

According to Mukankundiye, in her farm,  a single cassava plant cultivated using the Zai Pit technique produced 43 kg, while a plant grown using the traditional farming method produced only 3 kg.

The remarkable difference attracted the attention of farmers in the area and provided a practical opportunity to compare the two farming approaches under local conditions.

Farmers Witness the Difference

For Mr. Ntaganda Fidele, a cassava farmer from Karambo Village, the result was both surprising and inspiring.

“I was amazed when I saw the yield from a single plant. It is the first time I have seen such a result.”

Another farmer, Mr. Nteziyaremye Denis, said the difference between the Zai Pit technique and traditional farming is clearly visible, noting that the demonstration provided compelling evidence of the potential of improved cassava production practices to increase productivity.

The farmers emphasized that witnessing the results firsthand has strengthened their understanding of the Zai Pit technology and encouraged them to share their experience and knowledge with other farmers in their communities.

From Demonstration to Farmer-to-Farmer Learning

The three farmers have committed to continuing to raise awareness about the Zai Pit technology among fellow cassava farmers. Their experience demonstrates the importance of farmer-led learning and demonstration plots in promoting the adoption of improved agricultural practices.

Through the SCORE Rwanda Project, such demonstrations provide farmers with practical opportunities to learn, test, and observe improved production technologies under their own farming conditions.

As more farmers observe and understand the results obtained through improved production techniques, the Zai Pit approach is gaining increased interest and acceptance among cassava growers in the area.

The experience from Buhoro highlights the value of practical, farmer-centered demonstrations in driving the adoption of improved technologies and supporting efforts to increase cassava productivity.

For these farmers, the results from the demonstration plot speak for themselves: improved farming practices can make a measurable difference in productivity.