BAckground
Through his mother's foresight, Fred was sent to security in Uganda before the genocide in 1994. In time Fred returned to Rwanda. As the only surviving member of the family, he had inherited his grandfather's farm where he lived until just before the genocide. After the genocide, the farm was in a sad state, and cows and other animals were stolen. It was not until 2009 that Fred felt safe enough and had the strength to start developing the farm area into something for the common good of the whole population in the area. This meant also for those who had been involved in the massacre of his own family. He was determined to make FRED'S FARM a place for reconciliation. Fred's grandfather had grown coffee, and, post-genocide, the Rwandan authorities pressed and press farmers in coffee growing areas to grow coffee as a cash crop, both as a potential income for the farmer, and as a form of revenue for the state. So a priority was to develop the coffee part of the farm as a cash crop. Work started on the farm in 2009 and coffee was planted in 2010. To ensure the farm was not dependent on only one cash crop, macadamia nut trees were introduced in 2013 as a second cash crop. Cows were purchased in 2011/2012.
Goals
- To make FRED's FARM organisation more self financing.
- To provide work for the local population.
- To provide land for cultivation for locals who have little or none.
Beneficiaries
Approx 750 families
HOW
FRED'S FARM is run as an organic farm. Coffee and macadamia are the two cash crops we focus on. All our coffee cherries are sold to the closest coffee washing station. Coffee cultivation is labour intensive. Macadamia nut trees also require continuous follow up. So the farm provides employment to many daily and weekly workers for 10 months of the year. In cooperation with local leaders, we invite needy locals to cultivate land on the farm to grow stable food.
Bees help pollination (coffee and macadamia), so we have established beehives on the farm. A local beekeeper tends these, and we will share the honey.
Bees help pollination (coffee and macadamia), so we have established beehives on the farm. A local beekeeper tends these, and we will share the honey.
Time Line
2022 Improve land utilization generally on the farm. More shade trees and coffee seedlings planted. Mulching and animal feed plants planted extensively. 40% of land area used for cultivation by local farmers and Twa.
2021 360 shade trees planted. Poor coffee harvest. Organic compost heaps made on large scale, 180 farmers trained in this method.
2020 180 new macadamia nut trees planted . Improved coffee harvest but still small. Established 3 beehives.
2017-19 Improved infrastructure and farmland, extensive planting of shade trees, ground cover crops and more.
2016 FREDS FARM organisation established as it is today. Agronomist employed as daily manager. Other permanent staff employed.
2021 360 shade trees planted. Poor coffee harvest. Organic compost heaps made on large scale, 180 farmers trained in this method.
2020 180 new macadamia nut trees planted . Improved coffee harvest but still small. Established 3 beehives.
2017-19 Improved infrastructure and farmland, extensive planting of shade trees, ground cover crops and more.
2016 FREDS FARM organisation established as it is today. Agronomist employed as daily manager. Other permanent staff employed.