In Rwanda, farmers’ incomes are growing – quite literally. This year, in a poor and dry region of eastern Rwanda that often faces food shortages, 4,300 farmers enjoyed a record harvest of 8,000 metric tons of maize. These farmers, for the first time, used fertilizer, improved seeds, and modern planting techniques – all of which were provided by Clinton Hunter Development Initiative (CHDI) in partnership with the government of Rwanda. CHDI worked with the government to import a record 14,000 tons of fertilizer at 30 percent below the prevailing market price. This was the single largest fertilizer purchase in Rwandan history, and it put fertilizer into the hands of record numbers of farmers.

As a result, farmers produced more than twice the amount of maize than during previous years. Their bumper harvest is providing food to approximately 30,000 people, and the surplus of 5,000 metric tons is providing unprecedented cash income to thousands of farming families in eastern Rwanda. The income is enabling these families to reduce debts, fund household expenses and pay school and health care costs for children.

These families – and a total of approximately 425,000 people in eastern Rwanda – also now enjoy expanded access to health care facilities that have been improved by CHDI and its partners. Building on this progress, the Clinton Foundation is working with the government of Rwanda and Partners In Health to develop a cost-effective health care system for the entire country.

Importantly, the progress enabled by CHDI is sustainable. For farmers, the income derived from harvest surpluses can be used to purchase fertilizer and seed for future planting seasons. Many farmers receiving seed at no cost from CHDI will return the same amount of seed to CHDI after the subsequent harvest, perpetuating seed availability. In the health sector, the ongoing cost of improved facilities is sustainable within the government’s budget.

Working with 4,300 farmers in eastern Rwanda – and with additional farmers and farming associations in the future – CHDI is helping individuals and communities to move beyond poverty and plant seeds for better days ahead.