Vegetables in Rwanda
Horizon Sopyrwa, Rwanda’s leading producer of refined pyrethrum, wished to enhance the food security situation of its smallholder suppliers and to support innovation and horticultural development in the Musanze region. This project has provided growers access to higher value markets and invested in production improvements so that the volumes and quality of produce can be supplied. This will raise the farmers’ income and strengthen the commercial relationship between Horizon SOPYRWA and its associated cooperatives.
The overall goal of the proposed project was to increase vegetable production and improve supply chain organisation of vegetables in Musanze. To reach this goal, the project combined the introduction of new technologies (e.g., raising disease-free seedlings of high-yielding varieties under protected conditions) with a tailor-made training programme on vegetable cultivation and marketing improvements for the 37,000 growers. In addition, a joint venture marketing company was established to plan and organise the production and supply in a structured way.
Increased Production
Horizon Sopyrwa has established a 5,000 m2 greenhouse including water and electricity, climate installations and cultivation systems with Bosman Van Zaal to raise high-quality plant material for the improved cultivation of pyrethrum and vegetables. Through a series of meetings between Horizon SOPYRWA, Bosman Van Zaal, and suppliers, they decided to start the business with the production and supply of the following products: cauliflower, broccoli, endive, lettuce, cabbage, and onions.
The climatic conditions made the region suitable for the cultivation of many different semi-tropical and temperate vegetables. Given the reliance of agriculture as the main livelihood activity and the high pressure on land, the sustainable intensification of the cropping systems is an important development strategy for Musanze. Vegetable, fruit, and flower cultivation are new agricultural activities and not yet widely adopted in the district. The improved soil fertility management of the farming plots is a prerequisite for the sustainable intensification and diversification of the cropping systems used in vegetable cultivation.
From Vision to Solution
Based on intensive customer contact, we work on integrated solutions. Solutions that utilise labour, time, raw materials, and space as efficiently as possible. At Bosman Van Zaal, product development and realisation are performed in-house by our own multi-disciplinary teams. Our step-by-step approach starts with your vision and ends with our technical solution with lifelong service.
1. Define
What are your wishes and challenges, and what do you define as optimal cultivation and maximum yields? Our multidisciplinary solution team starts by listening and will propose technical installations.
2. Engineer
The final proposal is then translated into smart, inventive, and practical designs by our own team of engineers. We base this on our many years of experience and use the latest technology and insights.
3. Realise
The technical solutions are manufactured in our automated machine park by our qualified production team. We ship worldwide and work with our own staff or in collaboration with (local) partners.
4. Service
After delivery, we stay in contact with your company. We provide employee training, and we offer 24/7 service online and on location, guaranteeing a long and efficient service life of the technical installations.