Pierre Celestin Masengesho, a young entrepreneur from Gakenke District, Rwanda, began his agricultural journey in 2018 after leaving high school. He started by cultivating a small two-acre plot of land gifted by his parents and expanded his operations through loans from youth saving groups. Over time, he grew his farm to include three hectares of land he owns and an additional five hectares rented from neighbors. Masengesho now grows a variety of vegetables such as cabbages, cauliflowers, and beets, as well as fruits like strawberries and papayas. His farm assets are valued at 20 million Rwandan francs, and he employs three full-time staff and 20 casual workers.
Looking ahead, Masengesho dreams of establishing an agricultural school called the “Masengesho College Foundation” and a processing plant for fruits and vegetables. He credits the R-YES project and Kilimo Trust for supporting him with tools, greenhouses, and agro-processing machinery, which have been crucial to his success. He urges other young people to recognize the value of agriculture as a key driver of Rwanda’s development. Masengesho’s achievements have also been recognized in several competitions, including the Youth Connect Awards, where he has earned prestigious prizes.
