Temperatures in the Southern Province of Rwanda have risen by 0.28°C since 1901 and are projected to increase by 1.8–2.1°C by 2050. Rainfall patterns are shifting, with decreased precipitation during the long rainy season and increased rainfall during the short rainy season. These changes directly affect agricultural productivity in a region where the sector contributes 25% to national GDP. Gender disparities compound these challenges, as women comprise 77% of the agricultural workforce yet own less than 20% of farmland, limiting their capacity to expand operations and secure credit.

In response, C4 EcoSolutions has designed a climate-adaptation project for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen agricultural livelihoods in Rwanda’s Southern Province. Targeting six districts, Muhanga, Kamonyi, Ruhango, Nyanza, Huye and Gisagara, the project addresses climate risks that threaten the 70% of the population employed in agriculture.

It focuses on developing climate-resilient farming practices aligned with shifting rainfall and temperature patterns, strengthening extension services such as Farmer Field Schools to improve technical capacity, addressing gender disparities by enhancing women’s access to land, credit and productive resources, and improving early warning systems and climate information services to support farmers’ decision-making.

By integrating gender-responsive approaches with evidence-based climate adaptation measures, the project will enhance agricultural productivity and livelihood security in one of Rwanda’s most climate-vulnerable regions.