Hello, who are you?

I am Leon Niyibizi, eager to improve food security and rural socio-economies through applying best practices and learning from successful practitioners and advocates. I am assistant lecturer at the University of Rwanda where I have worked since 2007, but also involved in agriculture and rural development projects as a researcher and consultant. I am also a member of the Rwandese Association for Promoting Environmental Impact Studies, Rwanda Standard Board and Rwanda Animal Scientists Organization. Recently, I also became Innovation coordinator at the College of Agriculture Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, and am doing a PhD with SLU, Uppsala, Sweden.

What are your roles and responsibilities as National Innovation Facilitator?

I have been a national innovation facilitator involved in niche screening/scoping, collecting baseline data, stakeholder identification, evaluation of existing individual and organizational capacities, and strengthening collaboration. As facilitator and coach we used different CDAIS tools during problem identification, prioritization, experience sharing and group guiding. In Rwangingo catchment niche, I supported case analysis result sharing and validation, and discussions with local authorities on ways to address the situation through effective and innovative collaboration amongst niche partners. Lastly, I was ‘master of ceremony’ at the marketplace in front of all niches, local authorities, Ministry of Agriculture, FAO representatives, CDAIS authorities, where progress were shared and networking with potential stakeholders and service providers from including NGOs and the private sectors.

What has CDAIS changed for you?

I received important training since June 2016 on capacity needs assessment, facilitating agriculture innovation systems, platform establishment and coaching. as well as learning from niche sessions in Rwanda and in a CDAIS-coaching session in Ethiopia. This exposure to share what I have learnt and my experience as a lecturer was matchless. Farmers may have technology, means, and a successful neighbour to learn from, but sometimes miss just one piece of the puzzle and lose money and time though improving production was the goal. My involvement in CDAIS helped me to improve my communication skills within diverse groups, and great opportunities from working with farmers and other stakeholders. I have learnt a lot, I’m now more humble, though confident on how agriculture innovation can positively change and impact rural people through building soft skills.