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The long and harsh dry season has now ended. This year we decided not to reduce the number of daily staff to a minimum, instead we kept 10 daily staff through the whole season to provide maximum care, shading and watering, to all the young coffee plants. This was an investment which will pay off in time. Almost all of our young plants have survived! The rain has started and Jacques has ensured seeds, seedlings, tools, boots and more are in place for the most important planting time of the whole year.
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The FArm
Since January, we have run several trials on the farm. This is a practical method to demonstrate to school pupils, the farming teachers at the school and our staff, the results of alternative ways to cultivate and improve animal feed.
Intercropping: soya (a nitrogen fixing plant) was planted between the moringa trees as ground cover, a way to increase land utilization and as a method to improve the soil quality. We demonstrated it was feasible, and had a positive outcome with a good soya crop and healthy moringa.
Moringa as food for hens: fresh and dried moringa was given as daily feed to the hens. We tested how best to "administer" so the hens ate the moringa, and how much dried moringa should be given. Our hens increased their egg production significantly. We will make educational material for use on the farm and at the school to demonstrate this.
To meet our need for fertilizer, we bought 2 truck loads of coffee pulp (the outer shell of coffee cherries which is removed to get the coffee "beans"). This is used in compost for the coffee bushes, the macadamia, banana and vegetables.
At present the coffee bushes are flowering, a very beautiful sight!
Intercropping: soya (a nitrogen fixing plant) was planted between the moringa trees as ground cover, a way to increase land utilization and as a method to improve the soil quality. We demonstrated it was feasible, and had a positive outcome with a good soya crop and healthy moringa.
Moringa as food for hens: fresh and dried moringa was given as daily feed to the hens. We tested how best to "administer" so the hens ate the moringa, and how much dried moringa should be given. Our hens increased their egg production significantly. We will make educational material for use on the farm and at the school to demonstrate this.
To meet our need for fertilizer, we bought 2 truck loads of coffee pulp (the outer shell of coffee cherries which is removed to get the coffee "beans"). This is used in compost for the coffee bushes, the macadamia, banana and vegetables.
At present the coffee bushes are flowering, a very beautiful sight!
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Left: soya beans. Right: soya planted between the moringa trees, intercropping.
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Left: moringa powder as feed for hens. Right: drying moringa, quantity for one day.
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Left: flowering coffee. Right: coffee pulp.
A dry season with little loss of plants, no water stops, and completion of maintenance of trees, bushes and buildings - all as we could have wished for!
When we ask our staff what is the most important thing for them when working at FF - everyone says the same, no matter what their role - getting their salary, and getting it at a set time.
Thank you to all our monthly and sporadic sponsors, who make all of this possible!
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The period from our last visit in February until now is one of two rainy seasons in Rwanda. This is the time for the farmers to fill up the "storehouse" which must last until the next harvest in December.
On FRED'S FARM we are preparing for a long, hot, dry season.
On FRED'S FARM we are preparing for a long, hot, dry season.
Preparation for the dry season covering the soil with organic matter to hold moisture and give nutrition to the soil.
TWA
The positive progress in the TWA village continues. The new male "work group", established in February, is still active. They started a savings account in the micro finance system where FF contributed with the start capital. Since its establishment, the start capital has more than doubled.
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THe School
The does(female goats) given to the school in January have been well cared for. Our goatherd, Daniel, and Jacques have supported Marceline in this venture. 08. June, two healthy purebred kids were born! Now, our next step is to discuss with the school principal how we can set up a "service station" at the school; FRED'S FARM will supply a buck, and local farmers can bring their local does for mating. The intention is to have a plan in place before school takes holiday break.
The farming group at the school has been given an area on FF to cultivate more moringa for use in school lunch. The first step is taken, and the area is partially cleared. In the next rainy season, September/October, they will plant moringa.
The farming group at the school has been given an area on FF to cultivate more moringa for use in school lunch. The first step is taken, and the area is partially cleared. In the next rainy season, September/October, they will plant moringa.
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Left: area which is cleared for cultivation.
Right: Marceline, the goat caretaker at Kizi school, and the purebred dairy goat with her 2 newborn kids.
Right: Marceline, the goat caretaker at Kizi school, and the purebred dairy goat with her 2 newborn kids.
The Farm
At FRED'S FARM (FF), 2 kids were born in the past weeks. The most vulnerable children in the area are invited daily to get milk at FF. These children are identified by the village leader.
To ensure no inbreeding in our goat herd, a new buck must be purchased every second year. Since COVID the "supplier" has increased the cost of young bucks considerably, a new buck now costs 2,500 norwegian kroner We need a new buck now, and are in communication with Rwanda Action (an NGO we collaborate with) to find a best possible solution for both them and us. Perhaps we can swap!
To ensure no inbreeding in our goat herd, a new buck must be purchased every second year. Since COVID the "supplier" has increased the cost of young bucks considerably, a new buck now costs 2,500 norwegian kroner We need a new buck now, and are in communication with Rwanda Action (an NGO we collaborate with) to find a best possible solution for both them and us. Perhaps we can swap!
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The coffee harvesting is now completed and production is slowly increasing:) Our daily efforts to improve the soil health through regenerative, organic principles is a long term, slow process, so our goal is for gradual, increased crops. Both improved soil quality, and continual efforts to reduce soil erosion are best practices to meet the visible climate change with more severe rain, and longer dry season.
Banana production now supplies more than our staff needs, so we sell the surplus.
Macadamia care has improved. JMV, our new staff member, works well with Joseline. Nut production slowly increases, but kilo price is low. In Rwanda, there is unfortunately no regulation system in place for farm gate price, few buyers and few facilities for processing macadamia nuts.
Banana production now supplies more than our staff needs, so we sell the surplus.
Macadamia care has improved. JMV, our new staff member, works well with Joseline. Nut production slowly increases, but kilo price is low. In Rwanda, there is unfortunately no regulation system in place for farm gate price, few buyers and few facilities for processing macadamia nuts.
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GOAT TRAINEES
Immacule and Erik (trainees) and Daniel, goatherd on FF
For 10 days at the end of May, Immacule and Eric were the first residential trainees on FF. They came from a small initiative in the North of Rwanda. Their goal was to learn about dairy goat husbandry, and were eager and motivated students. In the course of their stay they learnt how to construct a goat pen, how to treat the goats (with care, not beating), how to milk, spray for ticks, clean the goats, check the goats' health and when to report to the vet for help, how to cultivate nutritious fodder (moringa and calliandra trees) and make liquid fertilizer and worm tea.
On return home, Immacule and Eric brought one purebred male buck, and two crossbreed does (50% purebred dairy, and 50% local ). With these 3 goats as starting stock, the intention is to breed 75% milking goats. These should have good milk production, but be more robust in a local setting than the purebred.
Through this initiative and ongoing collaboration, we hope to learn from each other and help each others development and to introduce more farmers to milking goats.
Thank you for your support!
Visit to FRED’S FARM (FF) 11- 24 January 2025
The minor rainy season begins in the first weeks of the new year. It's a shorter growing season, so it's more essential for "survival cultivation" that rain starts early enough, so crops are ready for harvesting in May before the dry season starts. As we check the weather forecast for the coming week, on the Norwegian "YR" forecast, the locals look to the sky, giving us a short term but very accurate weather prognosis!
On arrival in Rwanda, beans and maize were being harvested, and ground prepared for planting the next crop. At the farm, planting of mulching materials had begun but had stopped as no rain had come. Shade trees and fodder tree seedlings were carefully stored in the shade and watered daily, waiting patiently for "the right time" for planting out. At the end our first week, one morning 2 of the staff climbed nimbly onto the roof of, the house to fix loose tiles...... "the rain will come soon"! Two hours later, the wind blew up and the rain lashed down. On with our rain jackets and umbrellas in hand - the new drainage canals, improved during the past year functioned well, others are needed, the guttering on the outhouses needed adjusting, more trees must be planted here and there to help hold the soil, windbreak trees near the macadamia are still not big enough to "break the wind" but they're growing, more need to be planted....
The life of those who cultivate for survival doesn't always leave room for seeing solutions which can help reduce the impact of changing weather conditions. In a very local context, work at FRED'S FARM tries to demonstrate different measures to become more robust in the presence of life-threatening climate change. Dairy goats need less fodder than cows pr. litre milk. Moringa trees have deep drought-resistent roots and once established produce edible, nourishing leaves year after year, in addition to holding soil. Hence trying methodically over time and eventually "succeeding" with these 2 initiatives, has been a "success story" we can now tell with pride.
The Goats
Our efforts to find a suitable model to "roll out" dairy goats in the community has over the past years encountered various obstacles. To find yet another model was top priority on this visit. Last year, the principal of Kizi school expressed the wish to have dairy goat/s at the school. There were two goals; to improve the nutritional status of the youngest pupils by providing goat milk, and to sensitize parents to using goat milk.
On our arrival, the farming club at the school had already built a goat pen and the school animal tender was ready to receive the dairy goat:) On day 5, our goatherd, Daniel, had to drag a pregnant, unwilling purebred dairy goat to the school. It was obvious this doe did NOT want to leave Daniel who has looked after her since she came to the farm! In addition, we gave the school a 50% purebred female. Having the 50% purebred at the school, enables FF to follow up at close hand how much milk this 50% can produce, and in time also breed a 75% purebred.
Recently, a well respected, honoured and resourceful neighbour contacted FF to discuss the possibility of borrowing a dairy goat to introduce into the local community. We visited, saw first hand there was suitable housing, enough feed and staff to care for the animals. So a few days later, we brought a mother and daughter purebred duo, to this farm. Both these does are pregnant.
Cyprien, the district vet, is actively interested in the process of dairy goat introduction. The knowledge we have gained and documented well, through both "failure" and "success", helps us guide others who are interested in trying dairy goats. Over the past years, many individuals, Rwandan and international NGOs and educational institutions have contacted FF about dairy goats: can we sell goats? do we sell milk? do we sell cheese? can they come on educational visits? etc etc.
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Picture: L: the purebred goat handed over to the school. R: the 2 purebred goats handed over to the local farmer
Kizi School
All the initiatives connected to the school are moving forwards. The school principal, the farming and sports teachers are key partners in these processes.
School lunch
The moringa trees at the school is now producing enough leaves to be used in the school lunch, improving its nutritional value.
An area on FRED'S FARM is now set aside so the school can cultivate more food for use in the school meal. Preparation of this plot will soon begin.
Solar Lamp library
The lamp library was started 5 years ago to enable final year students to study in the evening. This has in general worked as planned. Pupils have told us how the lamps have made it possible for them to read and study after nightfall (approx. 6pm). Most of the initial solar lamps have now stopped working. These have been collected and will be disposed in a responsible way. Over the past two years, 16 new lamps have been supplied.
Kizi School
All the initiatives connected to the school are moving forwards. The school principal, the farming and sports teachers are key partners in these processes.
School lunch
The moringa trees at the school is now producing enough leaves to be used in the school lunch, improving its nutritional value.
An area on FRED'S FARM is now set aside so the school can cultivate more food for use in the school meal. Preparation of this plot will soon begin.
Solar Lamp library
The lamp library was started 5 years ago to enable final year students to study in the evening. This has in general worked as planned. Pupils have told us how the lamps have made it possible for them to read and study after nightfall (approx. 6pm). Most of the initial solar lamps have now stopped working. These have been collected and will be disposed in a responsible way. Over the past two years, 16 new lamps have been supplied.
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Pictures: L: an area at the farm is "handed over" to the farming teacher and farming club. R: pupils have brought the solar lamps to be tested & recorded at the school office.
The Interns
Picture: former and present and interns at the demonstration plot
Football team
For the past 2 years, FRED'S FARM has supported the school girls football teams with football boots and balls, after a generous donation for this purpose. This is a way to empower the girls, something the school works actively towards.
We were invited to attend a football match between two girls teams. Impressive strength and stamina! Only one set of boots was worn. The explanation was that last years boots were worn out as they had been used by all the teams at the school! 6 - 8 competing teams:)
For the past 2 years, FRED'S FARM has supported the school girls football teams with football boots and balls, after a generous donation for this purpose. This is a way to empower the girls, something the school works actively towards.
We were invited to attend a football match between two girls teams. Impressive strength and stamina! Only one set of boots was worn. The explanation was that last years boots were worn out as they had been used by all the teams at the school! 6 - 8 competing teams:)
Picture: The under 13s and under 16s girls teams.
Solar lamps in teachers dormitory at the school.
| Last year we were asked if we were willing to improve the facilities for the teachers who live at the school. There is no electricity and they have no lights, so preparing for next days school is limited to the one hour of daylight after school ends at 5 pm. Some sponsors stepped up to support a small solar system. Six lamps are now installed, 3 in the female section of the building and 3 in the male section. It's also possible to charge telephones which are used for school prep. |  |
TWA
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Pictures: L: the new male farming & savings group. R: the 2 "veteran" farming groups receiving new cultivation tools.
| Savings groups are common in rural Rwandan society, but were not for the Twa villagers. Since its small beginnings with 6 individuals in 2018, the group has grown from 6 individuals to 36 families! This year 8 men from the village asked if we would assist them to start a group. They described how it was increasingly difficult to sell their clay pots and they see how the women's groups function. They want to try to cultivate together, work together, and save together. So we supplied start capital for the savings, and farming tools. |  Picture: Emerita proudly shows off the best moringa tree in the Twa village |
Health initiatives
On our first day at the farm, Ishimwe came to the farm to meet us, and thank. Last year 2 of her children were treated for jiggers. In addition we offered her baby goat's milk and moringa leaves for herself. Throughout the past year she has worked hard to ensure the childrens' feet and hands are almost totally better, and she managed to motivate her husband to come for treatment this year. She was looking healthy and her baby is now out of the defined "malnourished" zone:)
12 children and 2 adults came for treatment. The health volunteers told us that all who have been treated for jiggers over the past years through FRED'S FARM, have prevented relapse. This is a very big step forward.
Dried moringa from FRED'S FARM was supplied to the Twa village. Alice, the village leader, ensured this was given regularly to nursing mothers as long as the supply lasted. They reported increased milk production.
On our first day at the farm, Ishimwe came to the farm to meet us, and thank. Last year 2 of her children were treated for jiggers. In addition we offered her baby goat's milk and moringa leaves for herself. Throughout the past year she has worked hard to ensure the childrens' feet and hands are almost totally better, and she managed to motivate her husband to come for treatment this year. She was looking healthy and her baby is now out of the defined "malnourished" zone:)
12 children and 2 adults came for treatment. The health volunteers told us that all who have been treated for jiggers over the past years through FRED'S FARM, have prevented relapse. This is a very big step forward.
Dried moringa from FRED'S FARM was supplied to the Twa village. Alice, the village leader, ensured this was given regularly to nursing mothers as long as the supply lasted. They reported increased milk production.
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Pictures : L: checking shoe sizes. R: Ishimwe showing off her healthy baby. Health volunteers wash and treat jiggers.
Cash crops
Although we see an improvement in management and harvest, more effort, investment and close follow up is needed to lift these to a level to give enough income for the running costs. One immediate initiative was to employ a second person to work solely on the macadamia.
While in Rwanda, we invited an agronomist from a neighbouring professional coffee farm to assess the coffee. He gave valuable input. Two years ago after a visit to a coffee research station, we started planting banana as a shade tree along with the coffee. Now, not only does banana provide shade for the coffee, but also food for the staff, with surplus bananas sold for cash, and mulching materials!
Picture - Coffee beans still green but some starting to change color and ripen
Picture - Macadamia nuts growing well
Picture - Bananas grows well
On the Farm
There are always possibilities for improvements, and this year we prioritized installing a small solar system to have 2 outdoor lamps as a security measure. General maintenance is usually carried out during the dry season, but after severe storms recently, a repair job was carried out on the roof by our best handymen, Pascal and Damescene, the 2 coffee specialists:)
Drying facilities for moringa leaves was also improved.
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Pictures: L: installation of solar lamp. R: the new drying table for moringa leaves.
Picture: Maintenance of the roof after strong winds.
The way forward
How can FRED'S FARM in time be independent of support from Norway?
The most important preparation is to have a good team in place in Rwanda and cash crops to finance the most essential activities. In addition, we also need to find local individuals and/or organisations who are capable and motivated to continue activities. This process has started and we are planning to have a model in place in 2 years time.
As always, we thank all of you who have given willingly to support FRED’S FARM in different ways!
PS! We brought 20 kg coffee also this time and it will be ready for sale around 20 mars
Hanne and Sten
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Pictures - Same place, left 2017 and right 2025. Healthier, bigger coffee trees, established shade, non-invasive groundcover... moving in the right direction.
Your contribution is making the difference:)
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Jack's words "Now the rain is coming, so happy as it bring life to our plants that was bad" (pictures above)
The dry season is drawing to a close and the biggest issue during that season is water access. This year our own water systems worked well and there were no off-site burst pipes of consequence, so we could concentrate on more constructive work than fetching water from the valley. Keeping young and vulnerable plants alive is the main task during this season.
Despite little rain, the activity level is increasing on the farm. The picture below shows farmer training. The farmers are learning to make compost. This compost is made and used primarily on the coffee terraces. Farmers are invited to the farm, paid for a day's work and learn to make compost, a win-win situation.
As the farm is organic we need large amounts of compost and liquid fertilizer. To help increase our supply of necessary nutrients for the various plants, we constructed another "worm tea bed", vermiculture.
The dry season is drawing to a close and the biggest issue during that season is water access. This year our own water systems worked well and there were no off-site burst pipes of consequence, so we could concentrate on more constructive work than fetching water from the valley. Keeping young and vulnerable plants alive is the main task during this season.
Despite little rain, the activity level is increasing on the farm. The picture below shows farmer training. The farmers are learning to make compost. This compost is made and used primarily on the coffee terraces. Farmers are invited to the farm, paid for a day's work and learn to make compost, a win-win situation.
As the farm is organic we need large amounts of compost and liquid fertilizer. To help increase our supply of necessary nutrients for the various plants, we constructed another "worm tea bed", vermiculture.
Macadamia
The yield from the 214 Macadamia trees on the farm is increasing. Macadamia produces nuts throughout the year and once mature these fall to the ground. Collecting the nuts while fresh is essential for best quality and to prevent possible rodent damage. So Joseline, our macadamia specialist, "nut hunts", collects and records on a weekly basis.
It has been a real challenge to find a company to buy our nuts, but we have persevered, and last month we delivered our first batch to "Rwanda Nut Company" (see pictures below). This company offers an advisory and support system to improve our management, and we can also choose to have a formal contract. Nuts are sold without the outer shell, but with the intact inner shell.
The farm gate price (what the farmer/producer receives) for macadamia nuts is low at present, and has gone down in Rwanda in the past year. The world demand is high and not met, so we sincerely hope this will increase in the coming years.
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Picture above left: quality control. Picture above right: sales receipt
The Dairy Goats
The buck on the farm, bought in June, died after a short illness. In August Jacques made the long journey to our supplier, Napthal. Our buck is now settled in his new surroundings:)
The school is preparing to receive a female dairy goat from FRED'S FARM. They will soon start to build a suitable pen for it at the school. The school leadership and farming teachers are highly motivated to make this work. This will be a great way to get the children introduced to milking goats.
Modeste and Calise, 2 neighbouring farmers, have now received 2 bucks. These bucks are offspring from our herd. They will provide free of charge "servicing" to local female goats that will have kids that can be milked and in this way increase the milking capasity of the local goats.
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Pictures above: Modeste and Calise with their goats
The School
The initiatives at the schools in the area continue. We have have also some new that we are in discussion with school about.
First and most important, this year a record of 14 kids from the TWA village have started school, 4 more than last school year. When the microsavings initiative began 7 years ago, no children attended. Our farm foreman, Providence, motivates and encourages both parents and children. It is thanks to Providence, with Jacques support, that it is possible to get this to work. FRED'S FARM covers half of the cost for uniforms, exercise books and pencils, and school lunch. The microsavings initiative and individual parents cover the other half.
The initiatives at the schools in the area continue. We have have also some new that we are in discussion with school about.
First and most important, this year a record of 14 kids from the TWA village have started school, 4 more than last school year. When the microsavings initiative began 7 years ago, no children attended. Our farm foreman, Providence, motivates and encourages both parents and children. It is thanks to Providence, with Jacques support, that it is possible to get this to work. FRED'S FARM covers half of the cost for uniforms, exercise books and pencils, and school lunch. The microsavings initiative and individual parents cover the other half.
Picture above: The TWA kids ready for school with their exercise books. Some school uniforms weren't finished being sewn when this photo was taken.
The solar lamps in the lamp library are now lent out to a new set of final year students:) This really help the kids to do their schoolwork in the evenings.
Our interns from the school worked on the farm during the summer. Some of the knowledge from the work at the farm, like moringa, they take home to their families and started planting at home. We also encourage them to introduce moringa to friends and neighbours. So slowly, moringa is getting established.
Our interns from the school worked on the farm during the summer. Some of the knowledge from the work at the farm, like moringa, they take home to their families and started planting at home. We also encourage them to introduce moringa to friends and neighbours. So slowly, moringa is getting established.
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Pictures above: To the left one intern watering papaya and to the right a group of interns get instruction from Pascasie, our moringa specialist
So again thank you for your support
to able us to increase the capasity of the local community
We are looking forward going to school again
Thank you for making it possible 🙂
The growing season is coming to an end and with that, less activities on the farm. The coming 3 months are hot and dry, so nothing is planted and the ground is covered to hold moisture. Villagers from the TWA village (picture above) have worked on FRED'S FARM to supply mulching materials, now they look for work elsewhere during the dry season.
Community initiatives
One of the biggest challenges in project work is follow-up. Many of our initiatives focus on the community succeeding with what FRED'S FARM teaches and supports. The farmers can be motivated, but don't succeed for different reasons. Both the dairy goats and the moringa tree have been a challenge. After some years trying different methods to follow up, in February this year we landed on the following; one employee from FRED'S FARM is in charge of each initiative. These employees were selected from former interns from the school program.
After 4 months we see that this approach seems to ensure we have better follow-up. Each person has their individual record book. Jacques invites them to a weekly meeting to go through the records and discuss issues together. We now see a marked improvement in the moringa planted in the TWA village and at other farmers. In addition, we now have a much better overview over the crossbreeding program between pure breed dairy goats & local goats.
So, we now think we've found a better way forward!
One of the biggest challenges in project work is follow-up. Many of our initiatives focus on the community succeeding with what FRED'S FARM teaches and supports. The farmers can be motivated, but don't succeed for different reasons. Both the dairy goats and the moringa tree have been a challenge. After some years trying different methods to follow up, in February this year we landed on the following; one employee from FRED'S FARM is in charge of each initiative. These employees were selected from former interns from the school program.
After 4 months we see that this approach seems to ensure we have better follow-up. Each person has their individual record book. Jacques invites them to a weekly meeting to go through the records and discuss issues together. We now see a marked improvement in the moringa planted in the TWA village and at other farmers. In addition, we now have a much better overview over the crossbreeding program between pure breed dairy goats & local goats.
So, we now think we've found a better way forward!
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Top left: Local doe with 2 crossbreed kids, 1 male & 1 female
Middle right: Local farmer, Vincent, looks after one of the pure breed bucks from FF, & provides free "servicing" for local does.
Middle left: the goat record book.
Bottom left and right: thriving moringa saplings at the Twa village.
Middle right: Local farmer, Vincent, looks after one of the pure breed bucks from FF, & provides free "servicing" for local does.
Middle left: the goat record book.
Bottom left and right: thriving moringa saplings at the Twa village.
The Farm
There is an improvement in both coffee and macadamia harvest. This is essential as in the future, this is where cash for the project is going to be generated.
Here too we have changed how we follow-up the daily work. One permanent member of staff has responsibility for macadamia, one for young coffee and one for established coffee trees. So, similar to the community initiatives.
It's heartwarming to see how these young people Jacques has selected take on this responsibility. It is both a learning opportunity for them, and a great help for FRED'S FARM.
Coffee and Macadamia
The coffee harvest finishes this week, and the harvest is four times 2023 harvest:) The macadamia harvest is also increasing. For the coffee, the main factor for improvement is better management. For the macadamia, management is better and in addition more trees are producing nuts. It takes approximately 7 years for the trees to start producing nuts, and can take 15 years to reach full production. So macadamia is a long term investment.
For general interest, on FRED'S FARM coffee harvesting takes place once a year over a 9 week period. Ripe coffee cherries are picked once a week, and carried immediately to the nearest coffee washing station. The coffee cherries must be washed within 8 hours of harvesting, so washing stations function throughout the night. Macadamia produces nuts throughout the year, so Joseline collects and records on a weekly basis. Mature nuts fall to the ground and must be collected as soon as possible as rodents damage those which are left on the ground. So "nut hunting" is an essential part of Joseline's job.
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Picture left - Weighing the coffee cherries at the farm
Picture right - Picking coffee cherries
Picture right - Picking coffee cherries
Bananas
The banana trees planted as shade trees for coffee are maturing and producing fruit, both sweet and cooking bananas. Most of the harvest is used as food for our staff, but surplus is now sold at the local market.
The banana trees planted as shade trees for coffee are maturing and producing fruit, both sweet and cooking bananas. Most of the harvest is used as food for our staff, but surplus is now sold at the local market.
Kids at school
The 10 TWA school children we have supported this year will soon begin their summer holidays. The TWA villagers have told us that after the holidays, they plan to send 13 children to school. Very good news! When we started the project no kids from the TWA village attended school.
The 10 TWA school children we have supported this year will soon begin their summer holidays. The TWA villagers have told us that after the holidays, they plan to send 13 children to school. Very good news! When we started the project no kids from the TWA village attended school.
Improved child health
Since February, Brice, Agnes and Fabrice, have come daily to FRED'S FARM to receive goat's milk. Their nutritional status has improved markedly! The health volunteers use the recognised simple measuring tool, MUAC (mid upper arm circumference). Brice and Agnes have improved so much they don't need to come any more, but Fabrice is still borderline malnourished and will continue to come daily. Their mother has thanked "FRED'S FARM for caring for her children who were about to die and now come back to life".
This mother has also a baby who is breast fed, and she received fresh moringa leaves to improve breast milk production. Agnes was treated for an extreme case of jiggers in February, and has remained "jiggerfree".
The health volunteers and village leader will now identify new children who will be invited to receive milk. The threshold for a mother to bring her children can be high as it is an acknowledgment that she is not able to provide for her children. But in general, all who have been invited have, with gentle encouragement from our farm foreman Providence, brought their children.
Again thank you for all support.
Without it we could not continue to help the people in the area we are working.
Visit to FRED’S FARM (FF) 29. January - 17.February 2024
Arriving in Rwanda from snowy winter Norway is always a shock to the sensory system - intense colours, people, clothes and vegetation! This year GREEN was all the more intense as the wet season was exceptionally wet, leaving the farm looking even more lush than “usual”. On our planned first day at the farm, the main road was closed due to a landslide.
Some of the staff heading home at the end of the work day.
TWA village
On entering the Twa village, we are warmly welcomed and ushered to a bench placed in the shade under a banana tree, with the villagers sitting facing us. Here they give an update on the current state of affairs. Top of the list was informing us that 10 children are currently attending school, and from September they plan to send 13! One young mother pressed herself through the crowd to tell proudly that her son had come top of the class - this triggered applause from everyone:) The whole village feels pride in this child’s achievement. The atmosphere oozed “we can, and we will!”!
During the last year the Twa have followed up making and using liquid fertilizer, compost and cultivating very small snippets of land around their homes. On our visit to the village, four women proudly showed us their newly germinated moringa. One of FF staff had supported them in this, and Pascasie will now assist to ensure these survive, and more seeds are planted. It is almost a miracle that these little seedlings survive as the areas available for planting are the same as where all other activities take place; making clay pottery, children playing, a path through the village…. one thing happens on top of the other, and little attention is paid to plants. But these tough and patient women, including Alice the village leader, are determined to succeed.
  |   Top left- Moringa plants growing Top right- Passion fruit plants ready to plant. Left - Francine with liquid fertilizer Right- Compost in the making |
KIZI SCHOOL
The school principal, the farm and sports teachers always set aside time for our visit, and actively engage to develop ideas. Books for the school library, a few footballs and this year a set of football boots for the whole girls team was met with enormous enthusiasm.
The sunlamp library functions well. Pupils in the last year of school, working for national exams, are prioritized. But there aren’t enough lamps for all these pupils. FF supplied 10 new lamps. Some teachers live at the school. With no electricity, it’s a challenge for these teachers to do preparatory work after school hours in the dark. We will look into options for improved lighting.
The kitchen garden at the school continues to improve, and they have now established moringa with regular follow up from Pascasie from FF. The moringa is planned as food for the youngest children.
For the past 2 years the school has had a few pigs, and on our visit the principal asked if there was any possibility for the school to get a dairy goat. He sees this as an opportunity to provide milk for the children in the nursery school. The school has regular meetings with parents, and this is a golden opportunity to promote goat milk for improving children's health. We have made a formal agreement, a trial one year period.
  |   Top left - Moringa thriving in the school garden Top right - School getting lamps, books and footballs Left - Student Elie uses one of the sunlamps for studying after dark Right - Girls' school team with fotball boots sponsored by Kenneth, Tomas & Klein's |
INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME
Time limits didn’t allow us to gather former interns on this visit. But the school manager and farming teachers assure us that this initiative gives a chance to those who need it most. The pupils who are prioritized for participation in the programme, are those with the most challenged home situation. The Demonstration Plot which the interns continue to develop, is maturing and beginning to be a true demonstration plot. Trials with different methods of planting to get the best harvest, and utilizing the 3D potential of the plot provide a learning area for the students.
Two former interns are now working on FRED’S FARM; Pascasie, our moringa specialist, and Elie, our night watchman who will now also follow up dairy goats in the community. These 2 young adults are highly motivated, and extremely diligent in executing their jobs.
Our moringa specialist, Pascasie, teaching interns indoors on a wet afternoon
DAIRY GOATS
We invited the vet to lead a training session with our goatherd and the farmers who have, or have had, dairy goat bucks from FF. The aim was to learn how to keep the goats healthy, and detect the first signs of sickness.
Via FRED’S FARM homepage, we have received many enquiries about dairy goats. Two different groups visited FF during our visit; 4 academics from the Rwandan Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) and 3 employees from a Rwandan NGO. RICA were interested to hear our experience both on the farm and in the local community. The NGO is hoping to start a dairy goat project not so far from FF. Both of these parties can be possible collaboration partners, and we plan to keep in contact. The focus from these 2 visiting groups, and their practical input, was valuable both to learn but also as a real motivator for Daniel (the goatherd), Jacques and ourselves.
The follow up of dairy goats in the community has not functioned as intended, primarily due to poor follow up from FF. It has taken time to understand the stumbling blocks, but we see it’s necessary to dedicate time and money to this effort, otherwise it just won’t work over time. So now Elie, a former intern, has the formal responsibility to follow up farmers in the community with purebred dairy bucks who “service” local does, and to have an overview of the first generation of crossbreeds.
Three goat kids were born on FF just before our arrival, and just prior to our departure, 2 mothers were invited to bring their children to receive goat's milk. We had also invited a local health volunteer to be present to record the nutritional status of these 3 children. These mothers will come daily at milking time over the next 2 months. The mothers also receive some fresh moringa.
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Left - A needing child getting goat milk Right - Measuring nutritional status
MORINGA, the “miracle tree”
To see the mini moringa forest on FF was a true joy! We have really struggled to succeed with this, but now, thanks to Pascasie and increased knowledge of crucial steps, all stages of moringa propagation are healthy - new seedlings, saplings and trees! 364 plants in all! Pascasie keeps an eagle eye on drying, and storage of the dried moringa. Visitors to the farm are now able to see all stages of growth, the drying process, and sample both dried and fresh moringa.
Most of our stored dried moringa is now taken to the Twa village where pregnant and nursing mothers are given “medicinal doses” of moringa by the village leader, and our farm manager, Providence. In addition, mothers who bring their children to get goat’s milk at FF, also receive some fresh moringa.
Roll -out to the local community has not functioned well, due primarily to our lack of what we now understand is essential, closer follow-up from planting of seeds until the plant is approx. 40cm. From now on, Pascasie has a defined role to assist those who are motivated to grow, and receive seeds from FF. Many people in the local community, including those with key roles in the community (village leader, vet, voluntary health workers, teachers), are interested to learn and try to grow.
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Left - The moringa field at the farm Right - Local farmers, leaders, vet and staff learning about moringa
HEALTH initiatives
In previous years, we have invited anyone from the Twa village with the condition “jiggers”, tungiasis, to come for treatment to FF. This year we were informed by the local health volunteers that “jiggers” is now under control in the Twa village, a wonderful step forward! So this year it was an “open invitation”. Our farm manager Providence managed to motivate and encourage 10 children from the area to come for treatment, and also one young mother. In this condition, a parasite enters the skin and lays eggs at their point of entry. Most are affected on their feet but this time round, 3 kids also had lesions on their hands. All three were listless and apathetic, unfortunately a sign of poor nutrition. These children were invited to get milk at FF on a regular basis.
One new initiative while in Rwanda was a trial with menstrual cups. Three permanent employees were offered these, and eager to try to use them. In the past years we have been made aware of the challenges of menstruation in the local community; restricted access to clean water and little or no means to make or buy sanitary products. This results in girls not attending school, or not able to work apart from in the fields. Last year we supplied a menstrual cup to our agronomist’s wife who has now one year of positive experience. She is willing to mentor these 3 young ladies who work on FF.
Another mini step forward is that our goatherd Daniel has started to use his mosquito net, something he just refused to do before. His mosquito net had been so used it was in dire need of repair. Supplied with needle and thread, he did an excellent job in making it whole again:) His example led to Alex, who manages the homestead and its immediate surroundings, saying he too was motivated to use a net. They both sleep outdoors at the farm.
In previous years, we have invited anyone from the Twa village with the condition “jiggers”, tungiasis, to come for treatment to FF. This year we were informed by the local health volunteers that “jiggers” is now under control in the Twa village, a wonderful step forward! So this year it was an “open invitation”. Our farm manager Providence managed to motivate and encourage 10 children from the area to come for treatment, and also one young mother. In this condition, a parasite enters the skin and lays eggs at their point of entry. Most are affected on their feet but this time round, 3 kids also had lesions on their hands. All three were listless and apathetic, unfortunately a sign of poor nutrition. These children were invited to get milk at FF on a regular basis.
One new initiative while in Rwanda was a trial with menstrual cups. Three permanent employees were offered these, and eager to try to use them. In the past years we have been made aware of the challenges of menstruation in the local community; restricted access to clean water and little or no means to make or buy sanitary products. This results in girls not attending school, or not able to work apart from in the fields. Last year we supplied a menstrual cup to our agronomist’s wife who has now one year of positive experience. She is willing to mentor these 3 young ladies who work on FF.
Another mini step forward is that our goatherd Daniel has started to use his mosquito net, something he just refused to do before. His mosquito net had been so used it was in dire need of repair. Supplied with needle and thread, he did an excellent job in making it whole again:) His example led to Alex, who manages the homestead and its immediate surroundings, saying he too was motivated to use a net. They both sleep outdoors at the farm.
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Top left - female staff introduced to menstrual cups
Top right - Treating jiggers
Below - Daniel and Alex with mosquito net and warm wooly scarves, converted to blankets:)
Top right - Treating jiggers
Below - Daniel and Alex with mosquito net and warm wooly scarves, converted to blankets:)
STAFF
FF has a policy to give work opportunities to as many as possible. In practice this means that apart from the permanent staff (9 people), there are 10 new staff every second week. We try to give work to those who need it most. On the other hand we need skilled staff who are able to work independently, able to cooperate and are trustworthy. At the moment, our permanent staff are dedicated and motivated. On our visit, we made considerable changes to clarify areas of individual responsibility. Pascal and Damescene, our two most skilled “coffee staff", had a study day on an innovative coffee farm close to FF. They were inspired and came back with ideas for FF, but they also told us proudly of how they had introduced FF and promoted the organic fertilizer they make and use, mulching, our social projects, dairy goats and moringa!!
FF has a policy to give work opportunities to as many as possible. In practice this means that apart from the permanent staff (9 people), there are 10 new staff every second week. We try to give work to those who need it most. On the other hand we need skilled staff who are able to work independently, able to cooperate and are trustworthy. At the moment, our permanent staff are dedicated and motivated. On our visit, we made considerable changes to clarify areas of individual responsibility. Pascal and Damescene, our two most skilled “coffee staff", had a study day on an innovative coffee farm close to FF. They were inspired and came back with ideas for FF, but they also told us proudly of how they had introduced FF and promoted the organic fertilizer they make and use, mulching, our social projects, dairy goats and moringa!!
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Left - This young man is the eldest of 6 siblings. His parents left the family, first father, then mother. He now has responsibility for his siblings. Jacques tries to assist to get help from the authorities. In the meantime, Jacques offers him work on the FF.
Right - staff at midday break.
Right - staff at midday break.
CASH CROPS
This year's coffee harvest looks more promising than last, but unfortunately approximately 20% of the land area with coffee on FF is still claimed by other farmers. This situation will hopefully be resolved in the course of the coming year.
Coffee: in general, the health of the coffee trees has improved markedly in all areas of the farm. The most healthy are in the areas with the best shade cover, most groundcover and where the soil quality is best. Most of the new coffee planted in the past year survived the dry season, and is very healthy. It will take another 1 - 1.5 years before these new plants bear coffee cherries. A few coffee cherries were ripening here and there, but it will be another month before the harvest begins. Pascal and Damascene, our 2 coffee specialists are dedicated and very motivated to learn. Both grow coffee at home, and have in the past year used savings to rent land and plant coffee.
Macadamia: to improve follow up of the macadamia, Joseline, who has worked on FF for several years, is now dedicated to working solely with macadamia. There are 2 varieties of macadamia on the farm; one bears nuts once a year, and the other bears nuts throughout the year. In the few weeks we were on the farm, daily harvest was approx. 1 kg. Macadamia have 2 shells. When dried, the outer shell cracks, and this shell must be removed before sale. We are in the process of looking at options for sale. Last year, most of the harvest was given to a local tree nursery to propagate saplings. These have grown well and are ready for grafting. The agreement is that the proceeds of the sale of these grafted trees will be split 50/50.
Banana: FF grows banana as a shade tree on many of the coffee terraces. Production is now greater than the food needs of the staff. So we will start selling bananas as a cash crop at the local market.
Good coffee growing together with banana trees.
BEES
The staff keep a watchful eye on the beehives, looking for a change in bee behaviour. One morning we were informed that the hive must be checked, but unfortunately we were just too late. The bees had eaten the honey and started to swarm. THIS was a cartoon-like experience - a cloud of bees descended over the goatshed, over the house and away! Quite scary, but the experts say that swarming bees are full of honey and peaceful:) The eldest queen bee leads half of her bee colony, and looks for a new home. To our great relief, they found their new home in one of the other beehives on the farm:)
 Above - Honeycomb taken from the beehive Right - The beehive in place high up in a treetop |  |
The big picture this time round was to focus on finding new ways for better follow up for the cross breeding with dairy goats in the community, and to establish moringa in the community. Both of these initiatives are stepping stones to more sustainable farming and self-sufficiency. The secondary effect of increased self-sufficiency, which we already see, is that more parents prioritize sending their children to school. The fact that the Twa now cultivate, succeed in their savings, send children to school and have “jiggers” under control, has reduced the marginalized position they have experienced in the community.
As always, we thank all of you who have given willingly to support FRED’S FARM in different ways! Your contribution is making the difference:)
Hanne and Sten
DRY, DRY and now rain
The dry season is a time for less activity on the farm. Three months without rain means no growth, so we normally reduce the number of staff who are employed on a daily or weekly basis. No rain is always a challenge for seedlings and young plants but this dry season was an extra challenge as our water supply was "cut" for several weeks. So once our water tanks, total capacity 9000 litres, were emptied, the water for all the young plants had to be fetched in the river a few kilometers from the farm. Hence we had to employ more rather than less people to try to save these plants, and worked hard to provide more shade for these young vulnerable plants ( see picture below).
But 07. September the heavens opened! Torrential rain. Jacques was stranded at his home and tried to prevent flooding in his house, whilst on the farm, trenches were dug to redirect the rain water away from the goat shed and the henhouse.
The dry season is drier and the rainy seasons more dramatic.
THE FARM
Food supply for the staff
In the midday rest period, the staff light a fire and prepare some food. Peanuts, beans and eggplant were harvested at the start of the dry season. Banana and papaya grow and ripen throughout the year and give a more steady supply of fresh food. We work towards establishing a "food forest", food grown on trees which, once established, provide food for years (see picture below) .
Food supply for the staff
In the midday rest period, the staff light a fire and prepare some food. Peanuts, beans and eggplant were harvested at the start of the dry season. Banana and papaya grow and ripen throughout the year and give a more steady supply of fresh food. We work towards establishing a "food forest", food grown on trees which, once established, provide food for years (see picture below) .
Coffee
As we described in the last newsletter we are testing different ways to
provide groundcover around the coffee bushes. The idea is to work less in the ground, which is positive for soil quality, the climate and will also hopefully help us to use less manpower growing coffee.
The coffee seedlings planted in February have been carefully tended with lots of shade and sufficient water, and most have survived and are very healthy. (See picture below)
As we described in the last newsletter we are testing different ways to
provide groundcover around the coffee bushes. The idea is to work less in the ground, which is positive for soil quality, the climate and will also hopefully help us to use less manpower growing coffee.
The coffee seedlings planted in February have been carefully tended with lots of shade and sufficient water, and most have survived and are very healthy. (See picture below)
Maintenance
The dry season is a good period to do necessary maintenance on the farm. The storage shed/henhouse had to be demolished and rebuilt as termites had destroyed the structure (see picture below). Improving trenches to channel rainwater, is also an ongoing process.
The dry season is a good period to do necessary maintenance on the farm. The storage shed/henhouse had to be demolished and rebuilt as termites had destroyed the structure (see picture below). Improving trenches to channel rainwater, is also an ongoing process.
THE COMPENTENCY CENTRE
On FRED'S FARM we test different farming ideas, then offer the knowledge and practical know-how to local farmers.
Dairy goats
The young bucks are now mature, and must leave the farm to prevent interbreeding and do their job to breed with local goats to hopefully make them produce more milk. These young bucks have now new homes with Innocent (the village leader), Vincent (a trustworthy, established local farmer), Elie and Michel (both former interns on FRED'S FARM). The young bucks now provide a free breeding service for local goats. Elie is now employed to help follow up this breeding service.
Our "old" buck died in February after eating poisonous leaves. At the beginning of August, Jacques made the long truck journey to the Eastern Province to buy a new buck. This is a looong drive. On the return journey smoke and flames came out from the engine. The driver managed to extinguish the fire and repair the damage. They arrived back at the farm at 1 am. As the buck was being taken to his new home, he broke away. The village leader summoned all the villagers to search and catch the goat. Thanks to the community effort, at 6 am, the newly named COMEDY GOAT, relaxed in his new pen!
The young bucks are now mature, and must leave the farm to prevent interbreeding and do their job to breed with local goats to hopefully make them produce more milk. These young bucks have now new homes with Innocent (the village leader), Vincent (a trustworthy, established local farmer), Elie and Michel (both former interns on FRED'S FARM). The young bucks now provide a free breeding service for local goats. Elie is now employed to help follow up this breeding service.
Our "old" buck died in February after eating poisonous leaves. At the beginning of August, Jacques made the long truck journey to the Eastern Province to buy a new buck. This is a looong drive. On the return journey smoke and flames came out from the engine. The driver managed to extinguish the fire and repair the damage. They arrived back at the farm at 1 am. As the buck was being taken to his new home, he broke away. The village leader summoned all the villagers to search and catch the goat. Thanks to the community effort, at 6 am, the newly named COMEDY GOAT, relaxed in his new pen!
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Moringa
Pascasie and the interns, Donate, Marie and Emmanuel,have tenderly cared for all the moringa seedlings, and now these seedlings are healthy young trees! We are very proud of the work they have done (see picture below).
TWA
Twa Children to School
The school holidays are drawing to a close, and our farm manager, Providence, is working hard to motivate parents in the Twa village to prioritise sending their children to school. As yet we don't know how many children we will be supporting this coming school year. But our intention is to continue supporting those who have attended, and hopefully more!
The school holidays are drawing to a close, and our farm manager, Providence, is working hard to motivate parents in the Twa village to prioritise sending their children to school. As yet we don't know how many children we will be supporting this coming school year. But our intention is to continue supporting those who have attended, and hopefully more!
Food at school
Through the dry season, Pascasie, our moringa specialist, has followed up the vulnerable moringa seedlings which are planted at the school.
Through the dry season, Pascasie, our moringa specialist, has followed up the vulnerable moringa seedlings which are planted at the school.
Internship on the farm
The internship program has proven to be an asset for the students themselves, the local community and FRED'S FARM. The small income the students receive provides immediate support for the family, the savings sum the students receive at the end of their internship provides the possibility for investment in an animal or trees, and knowledge gained can be shared. Pascasie and Elie, 2 former students have now permanent employment on FF, and Felix constructed and installed 4 new beehives on the farm. These beehives will be home to pollinator wild bees. They are also works of art!
The internship program has proven to be an asset for the students themselves, the local community and FRED'S FARM. The small income the students receive provides immediate support for the family, the savings sum the students receive at the end of their internship provides the possibility for investment in an animal or trees, and knowledge gained can be shared. Pascasie and Elie, 2 former students have now permanent employment on FF, and Felix constructed and installed 4 new beehives on the farm. These beehives will be home to pollinator wild bees. They are also works of art!
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Personal story
Elie Mutabazi is the new night watchman at FRED'S FARM, and also has a small position to follow up the dairy goat interbreeding program in the community.
Elie is 20 years old, and lives with his mother Daphanie, father Frederick, 2 brothers and 2 sisters in Kinyana village, not far from the farm. After the holidays, he will start at his last senior high school year.
Elie's dream is to be a big agricultural and animal farmer. During the internship programme at FRED'S FARM, Elie was highly motivated and interested, and told us how he saved both in the village and the school savings programmes. Elie now tells us how FRED'S FARM internship program helped him realise his dreams; he has bought a female pig and 2 hens. The pig has produced 6 piglets which he has sold. The cash from this sale put him in the position to buy a small plot with coffee bushes. In addition, with the male dairy goat buck from FRED's FARM, he hopes to be able to learn first hand about dairy goats, and in time, also produce goat's milk.
Elie Mutabazi is the new night watchman at FRED'S FARM, and also has a small position to follow up the dairy goat interbreeding program in the community.
Elie is 20 years old, and lives with his mother Daphanie, father Frederick, 2 brothers and 2 sisters in Kinyana village, not far from the farm. After the holidays, he will start at his last senior high school year.
Elie's dream is to be a big agricultural and animal farmer. During the internship programme at FRED'S FARM, Elie was highly motivated and interested, and told us how he saved both in the village and the school savings programmes. Elie now tells us how FRED'S FARM internship program helped him realise his dreams; he has bought a female pig and 2 hens. The pig has produced 6 piglets which he has sold. The cash from this sale put him in the position to buy a small plot with coffee bushes. In addition, with the male dairy goat buck from FRED's FARM, he hopes to be able to learn first hand about dairy goats, and in time, also produce goat's milk.
Economy
Like everywhere the prices in Rwanda have gone up, both salaries and materials. Wages for day- and week field staff has increased by 50%, from 10NOK pr day to 15 NOK. So to continue our work at the same activity level, we need more income.
The internship programme began in 2021 at an extra cost of approximately 10,000 NOK pr year. Since then, altogether 21 pupils have completed this programme and Elie's story, above, gives an idea of the impact this initial investment can make.
At present our main income comes from donations from friends and family, and coffee sale in Norway.
We are asking everyone to consider raising their contribution.
THANK YOU for ALL YOUR SUPPORT!
Every 150 Norwegian kroner is enough to:
support one child to go to school for 1 year or
pay one person to work for 10 days, covering food for their family for 1 month.
RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN
Rwanda hit the headlines in Norway recently due to floods resulting in mortalities and 5000 households left homeless. Despite very high rainfall throughout the rainy season, FRED’S FARM was not directly affected. In the day-to-day running of the farm, having poor internet connection is a practical challenge when there’s heavy rain; difficulty to edit online reporting, difficulty to send photo documentation. But Jacques does his best to keep us well informed!
We acknowledge the additional challenges climate change has on and around FRED’S FARM, and are trying to meet these here and now, and prepare for the expected changes with more rain, and more torrential rain in the rainy season, and a longer, dryer dry season.
Examples of initiatives to prevent soil erosion, nutrient run-off and loss of crops are continued planting of trees and increased groundcover (plants) on the coffee terraces
Rwanda hit the headlines in Norway recently due to floods resulting in mortalities and 5000 households left homeless. Despite very high rainfall throughout the rainy season, FRED’S FARM was not directly affected. In the day-to-day running of the farm, having poor internet connection is a practical challenge when there’s heavy rain; difficulty to edit online reporting, difficulty to send photo documentation. But Jacques does his best to keep us well informed!
We acknowledge the additional challenges climate change has on and around FRED’S FARM, and are trying to meet these here and now, and prepare for the expected changes with more rain, and more torrential rain in the rainy season, and a longer, dryer dry season.
Examples of initiatives to prevent soil erosion, nutrient run-off and loss of crops are continued planting of trees and increased groundcover (plants) on the coffee terraces
THE FARM
The farm is run as an organic farm, so no chemical fertiliser or pesticides are used. When we changed from cows to goats this resulted in less animal manure, and created a need to find alternative fertiliser and nutrition for the soil.
The introduction of liquid fertiliser is one positive step in our strive to have enough fertiliser. We produce it on the farm using materials we have available, like goat poo, soil, ash, charcoal, fresh “greens” (nitrogen rich plants like comfrey) and water.
The introduction of liquid fertiliser is one positive step in our strive to have enough fertiliser. We produce it on the farm using materials we have available, like goat poo, soil, ash, charcoal, fresh “greens” (nitrogen rich plants like comfrey) and water.
Coffee
In general this year is a poor year for coffee in the area, so we expect less than last year when 532kg was sold, a record at FRED’S FARM.
In February this year, we began a trial using 3 different methods of cultivation on the coffee terraces; we were encouraged to start this by RAB (Rwandan agricultural board). We already see differences in the areas but will have to wait for another 6 months to draw some tentative conclusions.
In February this year, we began a trial using 3 different methods of cultivation on the coffee terraces; we were encouraged to start this by RAB (Rwandan agricultural board). We already see differences in the areas but will have to wait for another 6 months to draw some tentative conclusions.
Macadamia
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The macadamia trees are well established and most of the oldest trees are now producing nuts. This year, instead of selling nuts, we gave them to the local plant nursery to propagate new trees. It is a long process to propagate and nurture a tree until it produces nuts. Altogether it takes approximately 7 years. We hope, in time, to encourage small farmers to have a tree on their farms as a cash crop.
The Competency Centre
The idea is to test different farming solutions on FRED’S FARM land, then offer knowledge and practical know-how to local farmers.
Milking goats
In February and March, 6 healthy kids were born!
The program of interbreeding the purebred milking goats from FRED’S FARM with the local goats started, but is on hold at present. This will restart as soon as the 4 new male kids on the farm are mature.
The goat milk at the farm is given to the most vulnerable families. The children are selected by the village leader. The mothers bring the children to the farm and are fed there.
Via the internet homepage, there is an increased interest from Rwandans and NGOs working in Rwanda asking to buy milking goats, to buy milk, to work on the farm and more. This is a really positive unexpected spin-off from our dairy goat initiative. We are able to direct buyers to Napthal, the man we bought our goats from. Until now we need all the goats and the milk we have. But it is very encouraging to see there is an interest:)
The program of interbreeding the purebred milking goats from FRED’S FARM with the local goats started, but is on hold at present. This will restart as soon as the 4 new male kids on the farm are mature.
The goat milk at the farm is given to the most vulnerable families. The children are selected by the village leader. The mothers bring the children to the farm and are fed there.
Via the internet homepage, there is an increased interest from Rwandans and NGOs working in Rwanda asking to buy milking goats, to buy milk, to work on the farm and more. This is a really positive unexpected spin-off from our dairy goat initiative. We are able to direct buyers to Napthal, the man we bought our goats from. Until now we need all the goats and the milk we have. But it is very encouraging to see there is an interest:)
Moringa
Moringa is a tree. Its leaves, seed pods and seeds have high nutritional value. We propagate these trees from seed on FRED’S FARM.
Pascasie, a former trainee from the local school, has been employed on FRED’S FARM since February. Her prime role is to look after the established moringa on the farm, plant seeds to supplement as required, and to spread knowledge through practical follow up in the local community. She has shown herself to be motivated and eager to learn, in addition to being dedicated to her work. She is also trusted in the TWA village.
Having Pascasie in the team has made an enormous improvement in the health of the moringa on the farm, and this will hopefully give the needed push to assist the local community including the school, to succeed in growing moringa.
TWA
Microsaving
Since restarting the microsavings after the COVID-19 pandemic, the villagers have saved approximately 800 norwegian kroner. With an individual savings deposit of 1 - 2 kroner, it shows they are dedicated to try to save.
Since restarting the microsavings after the COVID-19 pandemic, the villagers have saved approximately 800 norwegian kroner. With an individual savings deposit of 1 - 2 kroner, it shows they are dedicated to try to save.
Foodsupply
Work continues to help the villagers to improve the quality of the soil in the tiny snippets of land between their houses. This in turn helps to produce food.
Production of their own liquid fertiliser has started, and looks very promising. Many of the villagers are engaged in this process.
Pascasie, our new moringa specialist, has a special responsibility to follow this up in the village.
Production of their own liquid fertiliser has started, and looks very promising. Many of the villagers are engaged in this process.
Pascasie, our new moringa specialist, has a special responsibility to follow this up in the village.
Twa Children to School
All the TWA children from the village who attend the local school are supported by FRED'S FARM. Altogether there are 14 school children this year.
KIZI SCHOOL, the local school
Food at school
Moringa was planted again, and will in time, help provide food for lunch. It has been a challenge to get moringa established but this time we are hopeful.
Lamp library
The solar lamp library we started in 2019 continues to work well. It makes a big difference for the oldest pupils studying for their final exams. The school wishes to target this group. Almost all homes in the area don’t have electricity. So after sunset at 6pm all year round, it is DARK. These lamps have been very well used for 4 years, a few are now broken, a few missing and some have had their rechargeable batteries changed. In our agreement with the school, we take the responsibility to change batteries, fix broken lamps, and dispose of those which are not working as there are no facilities for recycling or waste disposal outside the capital. But in the past year, we see recycling stations for electrical items are slowly but surely being rolled out in Rwanda.
Internship on the farm
The intern program is continuing. This is a real success story! Three new interns, Nadine Uwizeyimana , Emmanuel Nshuti and Elias Uwitonze began at the end of April. In the course of their 12 week period at the farm, they take part in all the different work tasks, but have a special responsibility for looking after the Demonstration Plot.
Educational visits to farm
We are in contact with the local school to restart visits from school pupils. This initiative was stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Farmers claiming land
We are still working to solve the issue of 4 farmers laying claim to land on FRED’S FARM. Taking time to resolve this is part of the solution.
We are still working to solve the issue of 4 farmers laying claim to land on FRED’S FARM. Taking time to resolve this is part of the solution.
Personal story
Pascasie Gatoyi joined our team on FRED’S FARM (FF) in February 2023. She is our moringa specialist!
Pascasie attended Kizi school, and was an intern on FF in 2021. She told us then the positive impact of being an intern; gaining skills for use on the family land and for her own future, being able to buy a young goat, being able to pay for her school materials and help her family buy essential food items. In addition, her goat gave her the hope of being independent of her parents. Pascasie finished school in 2022, and since then lived at home with her parents and siblings. Her daily routine was to help on and around the homestead and land cultivated by the family for survival.
Job possibilities for young people in the local community are minimal, even for those who have completed a primary and secondary education, like Pascasie. Jacques informs us that for many young women in Pascasie’s situation, prostitution is often the only way to get a small income. So, giving young women job opportunities on FRED’S FARM to gain skills, and at the same time, earn some money, is a priority.
Pascasie Gatoyi joined our team on FRED’S FARM (FF) in February 2023. She is our moringa specialist!
Pascasie attended Kizi school, and was an intern on FF in 2021. She told us then the positive impact of being an intern; gaining skills for use on the family land and for her own future, being able to buy a young goat, being able to pay for her school materials and help her family buy essential food items. In addition, her goat gave her the hope of being independent of her parents. Pascasie finished school in 2022, and since then lived at home with her parents and siblings. Her daily routine was to help on and around the homestead and land cultivated by the family for survival.
Job possibilities for young people in the local community are minimal, even for those who have completed a primary and secondary education, like Pascasie. Jacques informs us that for many young women in Pascasie’s situation, prostitution is often the only way to get a small income. So, giving young women job opportunities on FRED’S FARM to gain skills, and at the same time, earn some money, is a priority.
THANK YOU to all who donate monthly, and to all who give now and again:) Your support makes a difference every single day! Without the donations these results would not be possible.
One of the children getting goat milk on the farm. THANK YOU