Bizimana Shumbusho, founder of BIZIFREPRO LTD.
“I am deeply grateful to the YEFFA Program and ADC for equipping me with the tools to succeed. Through better planning, financial management, and diversification, I have learned how to overcome the challenges young farmers face. I believe BIZIFREPRO LTD. will serve as a model for others, showing that with the right support, we can build a more sustainable and inclusive food system in Rwanda,” says Bizimana Shumbusho Jean Claude, reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey.
Since partnering with ADC in 2024, Bizimana has experienced a transformative shift in his agricultural practices. With expert consultation and tailored guidance, he has gained valuable insights into modern farming techniques and business management strategies that are helping him overcome the many challenges young farmers often face.
The Road to Success
At just 26 years old, Bizimana Shumbusho is proving that young people can drive agricultural innovation in Rwanda. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Rwanda, Bizimana founded BIZIFREPRO LTD. in Mburabuturo Village, Mukarange Sector, Kayonza District, in June 2023. The agricultural enterprise focuses primarily on maize cultivation, but Bizimana quickly realized that the road to success would not be without its hurdles.
Together with his mother, who holds 49% of the company’s shares, Bizimana has faced significant challenges in running his farm, particularly in securing working capital, acquiring irrigation systems, and gaining access to effective business management tools. Despite these constraints, Bizimana remains committed to transforming his farm into a high-impact, sustainable business.
Overcoming Obstacles with ADC’s Support
Bizimana’s breakthrough came when he enrolled in the Business Development Services (BDS) training under the YEFFA Program. The training, which took place from September 16 to 20, 2024, provided Bizimana with essential skills in business planning, access to finance, and financial management, all of which are critical for scaling any business.
Reflecting on his experience during an ADC farm visit on October 25, 2024, Bizimana shared, “Before the training, I had a vision for my farm but lacked the strategies and tools to make it sustainable. Thanks to ADC, I now have a detailed business plan, and I feel empowered to move forward with confidence. I am ready to secure funding, purchase irrigation equipment, and expand my farm operations.”
Bizimana’s first season saw him cultivate maize on just 1 hectare of his 4-hectare farm, yielding 5 tons. Although the results were promising, Bizimana faced significant limitations in fully utilizing the remaining 3 hectares due to the absence of irrigation infrastructure and inadequate capital. “I knew the potential was there, but without the necessary resources, it was difficult to capitalize on it,” he admits.
Bizimana Shumbusho says now he has a plan for his farm
However, with ongoing support from ADC, Bizimana developed a comprehensive 3-year business plan that addresses key challenges, including acquiring irrigation infrastructure and securing funding to maximize land use. His strategy also includes crop rotation, with plans to plant chili and beans in the upcoming seasons, ensuring year-round productivity.
Breaking Through Challenges
Bizimana has continued to face and overcome a unique set of challenges that are all too common for young farmers in Rwanda:
- Lack of irrigation facilities: Making it difficult to sustain year-round crop production.
- Limited financial resources: Preventing him from installing the necessary irrigation systems.
- Weak financial management: Without a structured business plan, it was hard to understand the full scope of his potential.
- Limited market access: Making it challenging to find consistent buyers for his produce.
Thanks to the support from ADC, Bizimana has successfully tackled these issues step by step:
- Business Development Training (BDS): Through this training, Bizimana learned to develop a solid business plan, manage finances, and access the capital needed to scale his operation.
- Proximity Coaching: Personalized coaching helped Bizimana refine his business plan and positioning, ensuring that BIZIFREPRO LTD. is set up for future growth.
- Linkages to Service Providers: Bizimana received technical advice on irrigation solutions and crop diversification, including chili production, from YEAN (Youth Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Network).
- Market Linkages: ADC facilitated connections with three maize processing companies in Kayonza District, ensuring reliable market access for Bizimana’s produce.
- Accounting and Financial Management Support: Expert guidance helped Bizimana establish robust financial systems, securing the future sustainability of his business.
A Vision for Expansion
Bizimana’s agricultural journey has seen significant strides in the current Season A 2025, as he successfully cultivated maize on 2 hectares of his land, a partial but encouraging step toward fulfilling his contractual land use requirements. Despite challenges, including a shortage of capital, resource constraints, and unpredictable weather, he remains optimistic.
“The support I’ve received from ADC has been transformative,” Bizimana shares. “Now I have a clear roadmap for my farm, and I feel confident in my ability to manage and grow my business. The improvements in crop rotation and better land utilization are already visible. I’m looking forward to scaling up, creating more jobs, and contributing to Rwanda’s agricultural transformation.”
Though he has faced challenges in achieving full coverage of his contracted hectarage, Bizimana remains committed to overcoming these limitations through careful financial planning and the application of best practices. His expansion strategy includes securing additional funding, acquiring the irrigation infrastructure needed, and exploring crop diversification with chili and beans for year-round productivity.
Impact of ADC’s Intervention
Bizimana’s journey showcases the power of tailored support in overcoming obstacles and driving agricultural growth. Thanks to ADC’s guidance, several key outcomes have been realized:
- Improved Business Management: With a solid business plan in hand, Bizimana has unlocked doors to financial institutions, allowing him to seek the funding needed to expand his operations.
- Increased Agricultural Productivity: With the installation of irrigation systems and optimized land use, BIZIFREPRO LTD. is poised to increase its yield and diversify its crop portfolio across all seasons.
- Job Creation: As Bizimana’s business grows, new opportunities in primary production, aggregation, and processing will create jobs, boosting local employment and contributing to economic growth.
Bizimana’s story serves as a shining example of how youth entrepreneurship and business development support can transform agricultural potential into real success. Through hard work, determination, and the right guidance, Bizimana has taken critical steps toward sustainable growth and is contributing to Rwanda’s agricultural revolution.
A Vision for Rwanda’s Agricultural Future
Bizimana’s success underscores the immense value of tailored, holistic support for young farmers in Rwanda. His entrepreneurial spirit and resilience not only demonstrate the power of youth-led innovation but also highlight the critical role that initiatives like ADC and the YEFFA Program play in building a more inclusive, sustainable agricultural sector.
“With the right skills, mentorship, and access to finance, young entrepreneurs like me are not just transforming our own futures; we are contributing to the growth of Rwanda’s agricultural sector,” says Bizimana. “Together, we can create a more sustainable and inclusive food system for the future.”
As organizations like AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation continue to invest in youth entrepreneurship through programs like YEFFA, the impact on Rwanda’s agricultural transformation will be profound and far-reaching. Bizimana’s success is proof that with the right partnerships and interventions, young people have the power to reshape the agricultural landscape.
About AGRA and the YEFFA Program
The Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) program is a strategic initiative supported by AGRA and the Mastercard Foundation, designed to catalyze dignified and fulfilling work for young people, particularly young women, through the development of inclusive food systems and agricultural value chains across Africa. YEFFA is transforming agriculture into a viable career choice for young people in Rwanda through business development services (BDS), market linkages, and capacity building.
About ADC
African Development Consultants (ADC) is a leading provider of business development services in Rwanda. ADC specializes in supporting the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly in agriculture. Through training, mentorship, and linkages to financial and market opportunities, ADC helps build sustainable businesses and empowers the next generation of agricultural leaders.