For Irakoze Cherbine, agriculture isn’t just a livelihood—it’s a calling. The young entrepreneur from Rwanda is combining her passion for farming and food processing to build a meaningful career, one harvest at a time.
Her journey began modestly, with a small black nightshade farming project and limited resources. But Cherbine had a vision—and when the Rural Youth Employment Support (R-YES) project came along, she grabbed the opportunity to grow.
Through R-YES, she received training in agribusiness, food processing, and entrepreneurship. The impact was immediate.
“The R-YES training gave me hands-on knowledge in food processing and also helped me strengthen my farming business. The entrepreneurship workshops, especially, gave me the tools to write a business plan and map out my vision,” Cherbine says.
She also received practical training in processing agricultural and livestock products, including cooking, pastry making, and dairy processing—skills that helped her diversify her income and secure a job at Faliba Hotel, where she now works in food processing. Her salary not only sustains her but fuels reinvestment into her farm.
Her manager, Evariste Kayihura, shares the qualities they proudly see in every R-YES trainee:
“Our team members are doing what they trained for, they are competent, and they’re thriving. What matters most? Motivation and discipline — and that’s exactly what the R-YES trainees bring.”
The support system around her continues to grow. Hindiro Technical Secondary School, where she trained, has seen a spike in demand thanks to the Kilimo Trust partnership.
“Through our strong collaboration with Kilimo Trust, our school initially focused on serving students from nearby sectors. But today, thanks to Kilimo Trust, we receive trainees from across the country. This has significantly increased our visibility and helped us in mobilizing more students and partners,” says Theogene Nsanzamahoro, Head of Hindiro Technical Secondary School.
Cherbine is deeply grateful for the continued support and mentorship offered by Kilimo Trust through the R-YES project:
“We are thankful to the Kilimo Trust, as they continue to motivate us and follow up with mentorship. I hope to grow beyond where I am today so I can contribute even more to my community and inspire other youth.”
From farmer to food processor, from student to role model—Cherbine’s journey is proof that with the right support, young people can lead lasting change in Rwanda’s agri-food sector.