Gicumbi District to Plant 500,000 fruit trees to fight malnutrition and soil erosion

October 25, 2025 Kwizera Juvenalis

The Gicumbi District Administration has announced a plan to plant about 500,000 fruit trees as part of efforts to combat malnutrition while also reducing soil erosion that has long damaged residents’ farmlands.

In addition to fruit trees, the district plans to plant another 800,000 trees intercropped with food crops to boost agricultural productivity.

This message was emphasized during the monthly community service (Umuganda) held on October 25, 2025, where participants planted trees alongside their crops.

The event took place in Kaniga Sector, Rukurura Cell, and residents were urged to understand the importance of forest conservation and taking action against climate change.

The theme of the day was “My Tree, My Legacy,” highlighting the importance of fostering a culture of tree planting.

Gicumbi District Mayor, Emmanuel Nzabonimpa, urged residents to balance economic activities with their well-being by growing fruit trees that can improve their livelihoods, especially for future generations.

He said, “We encourage people to focus not only on wealth but also on their health. Don’t sell all your milk and forget to keep some for your families to drink so they can live healthy lives.”

He added, “We are set to plant 800,000 trees intercropped with food crops, and 500,000 fruit trees to fight soil erosion and adapt to climate change, especially during the rainy season.”

Gicumbi, known for its steep hills, often faces disasters caused by runoff water that damages crops and homes, sometimes claiming lives in high-risk zones.

Ndejeje Anaclet, a resident of Kaniga, praised the support of Green Gicumbi, a project that helped them plant trees on their farms. “Before, rainwater used to wash away our tea crops on the hillside, but now the problem has been solved,” he said.

For the past six years, Gicumbi has invested heavily in building anti-erosion terraces, rainwater retention systems, and other measures to strengthen resilience against climate change.