Project HYRWA
Our first project, Project HYRWA, aims to improve food security for subsistence farmers in Rwanda through the use of simple hydroponics systems. The project’s objectives are to increase the income of the 200 participating households by 10% and to train participants to use and maintain these systems themselves in the future.
The project works as follows: The foundation builds hydroponic systems using locally sourced materials. We then install them on-site at the farms of the subsistence farmers with whom we have an agreement. For each harvest, the foundation collects the vegetables and pays the farmers. The foundation is able to sale at a higher price the collected vegetables to wealthier customers from the big quantities amassed. We also provide maintenance for each household and will increase the number of participants as funding becomes available.
As sustainability is important for us, we also teach the farmers how to build and operate the systems in order for them to possibly replicate them one day.Â
A bit about the project's story
This project was conceived by Maxime Fournier to offer an affordable solution that does not require a significant time commitment from farmers. It all started when he built a homemade hydroponicsystem to test its performance. The system was a success, and during an internship with a local non-profit organization in Rwanda, he and the organization decided to test a pilot project using local materials. The farmers were very pleased with the results, and the project has now been entrusted to The Cornucopia Foundation for further development.
Eunice possesses multiple years of experience in project management with a degree in the field. She is now ready to oversee Project HYRWA and make it grow to its full potential.
Eunice Tugirimana, Project manager
Zachariah is an agronomist who worked with multiple kinds of hydroponic systems through his previous roles. He is now part of The Cornucopia Foundation to help us build, maintain and also improve our hydroponic systems.
Zachariah Assouman, Hydroponics technician
Our systems are simple to make. Here's the proof!
You can find below a guide detailing how we are building our hydroponics systems below.
