 WELCOME to FRED'S JUNGLE! Several areas on FRED'S FARM (FF) are getting more jungle-like with a canopy for the coffee bushes, vegetation around the periphery of the coffee growing terraces, and little or no uncovered earth. FF is in the tropics with plenty of rain, and warmth all year round, nevertheless it takes time to establish trees and other vegetation. THIS is what improves soil and plant health. We are though competing against climate change, the dry season was much longer this past year, and the rain less. But thanks to shading, mulching, planting of trees and other plants, we have managed to lessen the negative effects. This year's big surprise on coming to the farm - electricity is coming to the area.😀 Not so important for the farm right now but VERY important for the school and homes in the area. TWA The Twa villagers proudly showed us some of the past year's development; many villagers have managed to get moringa, the miracle tree, to germinate and are protecting it like a baby, each with their own individual protection structure:) Last year Emerita showed us her lone moringa tree. She has carefully nurtured it and it's now at least 4m high, and starting to produce its first seeds! The few square meters around homes are now being utilized - solid and liquid compost and fertilizer production (which FF agronomist taught 2 years ago) is being actively employed. Now there IS some soil, vegetables are being grown, and fruit trees we supplied in earlier years, are well nurtured. The men's savings group has functioned well and they met us with the various animals they've now got at their home. Rabbits are a favourite - mate willingly, produce many offspring, grow quickly and eat "everything" available! In sum, there are many very visible signs of a willingness and increased ability to be more self sufficient, and with that, an increased self confidence.
L to R: well protected moringa seedlings. Mens savings group. Emerita with her tall moringa tree. SCHOOL Although everything we initiate on and around FF is well thought through, there can be spin offs (positive and negative) we hadn't foreseen. In 2024 we gave a set (11 pairs) of football boots earmarked for the eldest girls' football team at Kizi school. We saw this as a way to empower these girls and give them confidence. This has resulted in 3 of them getting a contract with AS Kigali F.C. , a professional football team in the capital! In addition, 2 girls got scholarships to a boarding school, thanks to their football skills. For these girls and their families, this is a chance in a lifetime. For the school, it has generated enormous pride and self confidence. On speaking to several Rwandan friends in the capital - they scarcely believed that youth from Kizi could "perform" at this level. It also says something about improved nutrition - 10 years ago, no children played anything in the outdoor areas by the school !!
L: line up with Charles, the dedicated sports teacher. R: action and energy. NOTE the electricity cable:)
L: the school farming club weeding around moringa on FF. R: school pupils learning to make liquid fertilizer on FF.
HEALTH INITIATIVES Jiggers treatment is still needed though for the past 2 years, the number of children with recurrence is almost zero, and the severity of the condition is less. Providence, manager on FF, and the village leader, managed to motivate 19 children to meet for treatment. Under the session a girl was also diagnosed with scab that we were able to treat.
THE FARM Cash crops This year we can see a big improvement both in coffee and macadamia production. Jacques estimates that we will produce over 1000 kg coffee cherries (the whole "fruit" of the coffee bush including the "beans) which are the seeds), up from 700 kg last year. Price of coffee is still going up. As farmers we get very little of the total consumer-price. This year in Rwanda, the farmer gets about 7kr/kg for the high quality coffee cherries we produce. FF income from this should be around 10 000 kr in 2026. Regarding Macadamia, this past year, we increased from one to two people who work full time with these trees, and now we see their improved health. So this year the crop should increase.
Other news from the farm Our annual visit to FF is primarily to evaluate the previous year, to try to uncover our misunderstandings regarding where FF is going and how, and make plans for the coming year. This year we tried to focus on "soil health" as a foundation of how we cultivate on FF. At times, it has been very difficult for us to explain why we have chosen to cultivate, for example, in a different way than is traditional in the area. But now the positive results of, for example, "all year mulching" or groundcover, are visible. Weeding is reduced and the soil has improved. Hence there is now an increased understanding of why we have chosen to try this method.
THE DAIRY GOATS We visited 4 different locations where FF goats are now established, at the local school, at 2 farms with resources and at our foreman Providence. All locations have as a goal to supply goat milk (to the most needy children at the school and in the local community), sensitize the local community to dairy goats and their milk, and generally promote dairy goats. Three places will provide a free "servicing station", so local goats can breed with a pure bred dairy goat to get of springs that can be milked. In addition, we visited a large well run Health Centre and a local primary school who are very interested to get a dairy goat at their locations. Both will now start preparations to fulfill our criteria for getting animals.
Some of our milking goats that have got new homes THE WAY FORWARD We are looking actively for local partners who may, in time, take an active role in continuing running initiatives on and around FF. At the end of our trip, we had a positive meeting with an organization which may be interested in collaborating with FF. THANKS Nurturing relations with local leaders and people who are updated on changes in government policy and influence positive change in the community, is always a priority on our visits. This time round, we visited Kizi school principal several times and were invited to meet the Sector Leader. The Sector Leader has an overall responsibility for health, social aspects and educational activities in the area. FREDS FARM has made and is making a positive change for so many people in the local area. All the staff and leaders in the local community and the Twa tell in different ways how FF has improved their lives, and those of others, and voice their gratitude. Improved health, education, and knowledge are highlighted by the staff, and the fact that engagement has continued after Freds death. Three of our permanent staff have now managed to save enough to build their own houses, several have rented or bought some land and started to cultivate on a bigger scale than previously. So to all of you who support FREDs FARM regularly, or now and again, THANK YOU!  A colourful welcome committee at Providences homestead.
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