Kilimo Trust Celebrates 20 Years of Driving Sustainable Agriculture, Youth Employment, and Climate Resilience in East Africa

By Ange de la Victoire DUSABEMUNGU, [TOP AFRICA NEWS], June 27, 2025

In an impressive drive towards sustainable development, Kilimo Trust is making groundbreaking strides in Rwanda, focusing on re-skilling youth, improving food systems, and addressing climate change resilience. According to CEO Dr. Birungi Korutaro, the organization is working collaboratively with government bodies and other partners to revolutionize the agriculture sector through strategic initiatives targeting rural youth, smallholder farmers, and emerging enterprises.

Kilimo Trust has formed strategic partnerships with Rwanda Polytechnic and over 200 businesses in Rwanda to equip rural youth with market-demanded skills.

According to Dr. Birungi, the initiative covers an extensive array of skills including food processing, dairy production, technology, and equipment repair. Post-training, these youth are placed in factories for experiential learning, after which they receive mentorship and support in starting their own businesses. This approach not only empowers them but also fosters job creation, making them valuable economic contributors beyond traditional farm roles.

Operating in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan, Kilimo Trust sees East Africa as a borderless market full of potential. Their expansion plans include reaching the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Ethiopia. Dr. Birungi emphasizes that partnerships with governments, private sectors, and civil society are essential. By leveraging these partnerships, Kilimo Trust aims to drive systemic change in food systems across the region and open broader market access for value chain actors.

Addressing the inevitable impacts of climate change, Kilimo Trust supports farmers with climate-resilient practices. This includes introducing drought-resistant seeds, conservation techniques to mitigate water and post-harvest losses, and promoting regenerative agriculture. Efforts extend to waste management, which plays a crucial role in improving soil health. The organization has introduced innovative solutions like zero energy coolers for produce storage, reducing spoilage and ensuring freshness from farm to market.

According to Andrew Cheboi, Team Leader for Quality Assurance and Resource Mobilization, ensuring product quality is at the forefront of Kilimo Trust’s mission. By providing farmers with adequate training and access to modern equipment like drying apparatus and moisture meters, they help minimize losses. Such efforts ensure that produce meets market standards, although challenges remain in providing widespread access to necessary equipment.

Andrew Gashayija, Kilimo Trust Rwanda’s Team Leader, highlighted the organization’s 20-year journey. Over this period, they have reached approximately 350 smallholder farmers in Rwanda, facilitated over 200 new businesses, and directly created close to 10,000 jobs. This reflects Kilimo Trust’s commitment to fostering market access, job creation, and promoting climate-resilient agriculture.

Despite the progress, Rwanda’s agriculture sector faces challenges like post-harvest losses, insufficient storage facilities, and climate change-induced disruptions. As noted in reports, up to 30% of produce like maize and tomatoes is lost due to inadequate storage and transportation. However, Kilimo Trust’s initiatives, including building storage solutions and training in regenerative practices, offer promising pathways to overcoming these hurdles.

Rwanda’s youth, constituting 60% of the population, are pivotal in transforming the agriculture sector. By embedding practical skill training in polytechnics and facilitating industry placements, Kilimo Trust is empowering young people with the tools to navigate and innovate within their industries. These actions align with Rwanda’s broader goals of nurturing a skilled, resilient workforce ready to tackle future agricultural challenges.

Andrew Gashayija, Kilimo Trust Rwanda’s Team Leader

As Kilimo Trust continues its mission in Rwanda and beyond, it is evident that their integrated approach is creating ripples of change across East Africa. By uniting education, technology, and market linkages, they are not only addressing immediate challenges but also laying the foundation for a sustainable agricultural future that benefits individuals and communities alike. Through collective efforts, there lies a robust potential for a resilient and thriving food system across the region.