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BANANA CUBING
KIYOMBE SECTOR
Rwanda

The Problem

Kiyombe sector is one of the sectors that make up Nyagatare district, this sector particularly is surrounded with bare hills which lead to soil erosion and that do not facilitate agricultural activities. This big problem of soil erosion leads to famine and persistent environmental degradation.
The community tried to find a solution to this problem and they decided to plant trees on the bare hills so as to conserve the soil. They did this by creating nursery beds in order to distribute trees to the people so that they all plant trees. In making the nursery beds they used polythene materials which were themselves expensive and an environmental hazard. To aggravate the problem and the government banned the use of polythene materials.

They discovered materials which they called banana cubes from banana fibres which they used instead of polythene materials as an innovation to answer the above mentioned problems.

Before the introduction of banana cubing the situation was so alarming because you could find polythene cubing scattered all around and this would hinder cultivation due to water prevention to the soils.
During preparation of plant seed beds polythene cubes would be imported from abroad at high prices thus hindering the planting of enough plants.

The affected group was the people of Kiyombe sector especially those involved in agriculture.

Solution and Key Benefits

 What is the initiative about? (the solution)
The introduction of banana cubes has benefited the people of Kiyombe as the initiator of the idea and the country as a whole in such way that, banana cubes are environmental friendly for various reasons they act as water reserves.
The banana cubes act as manure to planted seeds and hence helping them to grow.
In addition they provide employment and income to the people who make them.

Using banana cubes reduced government expenditure, and most important, it helped to implement the government policy on the ban of polythene materials.

Another important achievement is the use of natural and local resources which are easy to use and which are available at a relatively low cost making the initiative more sustainable.

Actors and Stakeholders

 Who proposed the solution, who implemented it and who were the stakeholders?
The solution was initiated by the executive secretary, and the women associations in the sector were the main implementers as they were involved in the making and selling of the banana cubes.

The population also participated in the implementation of this initiative by buying these banana cubes or by making them themselves.

(a) Strategies

 Describe how and when the initiative was implemented by answering these questions
 a.      What were the strategies used to implement the initiative? In no more than 500 words, provide a summary of the main objectives and strategies of the initiative, how they were established and by whom.
Briefly the main objective of banana cube was to protect the environment from which we earn our living and to Increase number of off-farm activities.

The strategies that were used to achieve this initiative are as follows: putting in place Sector Technical Advisory committee commissioned to plan and monitor various developmental activities.
Sensitising and training women associations on how to make banana cubes.
The sector leadership and the associations agreed on terms regarding the implementation of the initiative.

(b) Implementation

 b.      What were the key development and implementation steps and the chronology? No more than 500 words
The key steps that were established to implement the initiative are stated in their chronological order of occurrence and these are :

The sector leadership initiated the Idea and then put in place the sector advisory committee.

The leadership also identified the people to undertake the duty in order to succeed with the initiative and choose the women associations.

After the identification, the sector leadership with help of technicians sensitised and trained the women how to make the banana cubes

The association in collaboration with the leadership started identifying ways to market their product. They also set a monitoring team to evaluate not only the market but also the impact of using the product.

(c) Overcoming Obstacles

 c.      What were the main obstacles encountered? How were they overcome? No more than 500 words
It is normally known that people always resist change, likewise a big number of the sector population were not responding positively but after various consultative and sensitisation meetings, they got involved.

(d) Use of Resources

 d.      What resources were used for the initiative and what were its key benefits? In no more than 500 words, specify what were the financial, technical and human resources’ costs associated with this initiative. Describe how resources were mobilized
The sector mobilised 990,000 Rfw (1800$) to implement the initiative. The amount includes transport and other logistics for the training team and starting the work of making banana cubes.

Sustainability and Transferability

  Is the initiative sustainable and transferable?
Yes the initiative is sustainable and transferable because it is simple to learn, make and use due to the fact that the raw materials are available throughout Rwanda and even in the region. The product is environment friendly and does not require complicated skills.

Lessons Learned

 What are the impact of your initiative and the lessons learned?
The lesson learned is that environmental protection is a prerequisite for sustainable development. In addition, the future is our hands, we decide to make it good (by protecting the environment) it will be favourable to us.

We can make use of what we have around us not only to generate income but also to improve our livelihood.

Combining efforts through working in associations helps to realise many achievements in a short time.

For any new concept, idea, you will need agents of change therefore the need to broaden involvement through task teams and consultations.

Contact Information

Institution Name:   KIYOMBE SECTOR
Institution Type:   Government Agency  
Contact Person:   ENOCK BYABASHAIJA
Title:   EXECUTIVE SECRETARY  
Telephone/ Fax:   +250 08874045
Institution's / Project's Website:   +250-565249
E-mail:   nyagataredistrict@minaloc.gov.rw  
Address:   KIYOMBE DISTRICT, C/O NYAGATARE DISTRICT
Postal Code:   B.P 106
City:   NYAGATARE
State/Province:   EASTERN PROVINCE
Country:   Rwanda

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