Learning to dance in the storm: Resilient farming with beans, trees and bees in Rwanda

In Rwanda, smallholder farmers are building resilience to climate change and market challenges by growing beans, fruit trees and keeping bees. Supported by the BRAINS project and partners, this effort is increasing food security, income and sustainability nationwide.

In the heart of Africa, on the rolling hills of Rwanda, smallholder farmers are learning not just to weather the storm, but to thrive through it. In a country where agriculture contributed 26% of GDP in the 2023/2024 fiscal year¹, resilience is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Known as the ‘Land of a Thousand Hills’, Rwanda relies heavily on its agriculture sector, with beans at the center. With 79.9% of households farming beans and an unmatched global per capita consumption of 32.9 kg per year, beans are not just a staple, they are the backbone of national nutrition. They contribute 15.6% of dietary energy and 30.4% of national protein intake. Yet, in 2023 alone, environmental challenges such as floods, droughts, pests, and diseases led to an 18% reduction in bean yields.