STORY: Rwanda's company produces compost fertilizers to boost local agriculture
SHOOTING TIME: Dec. 18, 2023
DATELINE: Dec. 24, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:13
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: ENVIRONMENT

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the waste transformation process
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALAIN CHRISTIAN RUZINDANA, Co-founder of Green Care Rwanda Limited
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Kinyarwanda): YVES NIYONKURU, Local farmer in Huye District

STORYLINE:

In the heart of Huye District, Rwanda, Green Care Rwanda Limited, a youth-led initiative, is reshaping the landscape of waste management while sowing the seeds of agricultural prosperity.
   
In an exclusive interview with Xinhua recently, Alain Christian Ruzindana, co-founder of Green Care Rwanda Limited, which was established in 2016, shared the inspiring journey of how their compost fertilizers are not only preserving the environment but also revolutionizing yields for local farmers.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ALAIN CHRISTIAN RUZINDANA, Co-founder of Green Care Rwanda Limited
"It's a waste management company, so we operate the Huye recycling facility, which receives and treats municipal solid waste. So we receive mainly municipal solid waste that is collected around different neighborhoods of Huye city, and we treat them and recycle them into valuable products, mainly compost for the organic part, but also we sort and condition other non-biodegradable materials, which we resell to other recycling companies around the country."

Ruzindana acknowledged the initial hurdles, from changing mindsets about waste to financial challenges, yet the team held fast to their vision of making waste management a self-financing recycling business.
   
The facility receives mixed waste, separating biodegradable components for compost production and conditioning non-biodegradables for resale.
   
According to him, the fundamental part of their eco-friendly initiative lies in the compost organic fertilizer, a game-changer for local agriculture.
   
Collaborating with chia seed producers and youth cooperatives involved in green beans production, Green Care Rwanda's compost has become essential for sustainable crop growth. The mature and well-conditioned compost not only facilitates easier application for farmers but also significantly enhances crop yields.
   
Yves Niyonkuru, a local farmer, attests to the transformative power of the company's compost.
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (Kinyarwanda): YVES NIYONKURU, Local farmer in Huye District
"Previously, I used to harvest about 2 to 3 tons per hectare, but now, I harvest between 4 to 6 tons per hectare. There is a significant difference."

Niyonkuru emphasized the importance of environmentally friendly approaches in agriculture, applauding the well-blended organic fertilizer that not only safeguards but sustains the soil for future generations.
   
Even within the Green Care Rwanda team, the positive transformation is evident. Felex Ntawukuriryayo, an employee, shared his journey from unemployment to owning an agricultural farm.
   
"The fertilizer obtained from Green Care Rwanda has significantly increased the yield of my fields compared to what I experienced before, prompting me to continue using this effective fertilizer," he said.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)