RBI tested MRV System to Monitor AWD in Climate-Smart Rice Farming

Kigali, October 2026. RBI has tested a Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) system to track the application of Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) in climate-smart rice agriculture in the Southern and Western Provinces of Rwanda.

The system will strengthen how field data is collected, recorded and verified. It will support evidence-based decisions on sustainable rice production, water management and climate action.

Why AWD and MRV matter

AWD is a water-saving irrigation practice in which rice fields are allowed to dry out periodically instead of being kept continuously flooded. It reduces irrigation water use and can lower greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, from rice paddies, usually without reducing yields when properly applied.

Reliable, consistent data is needed to show that these benefits are real. The MRV system provides a structured way to measure and document how AWD is applied and what it achieves in the field.

Tools for farmers and RBI staff

As part of the launch, field monitoring tools will be shared with trained farmers and RBI staff. They include:

• AWD water level tubes, installed in paddies so farmers can easily monitor field water levels and decide when to irrigate.
• Greenhouse gas sampling chambers, placed over rice plants to capture emissions data in the field.
• Handheld gas measurement devices, used to record gas concentration and temperature readings during sampling.

These tools will help farmers and technical teams keep accurate field records and improve the quality and consistency of data collected across the two provinces.

Building capacity on the ground

Farmers and RBI staff will be trained on how to install and use the equipment, record field observations and apply AWD correctly. Strengthening these skills is central to the initiative, so that data collection is accurate, consistent and owned by the people closest to the fields.

“This is a significant milestone for RBI. By putting this MRV system in place, we strengthen the credibility of the data we share with our partners and stakeholders.” Justine Rutabagaya, President, RBI]

Supporting Rwanda’s climate and agriculture goals

The MRV system supports Rwanda’s efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture, use water efficiently and reduce emissions from the agricultural sector. By generating credible field data, it will also help inform policy, guide future investments and demonstrate the impact of sustainable rice farming practices.

RBI extends its sincere appreciation to all those who contributed to this initiative, and in particular to Ave Maria Therese, Technical Advisor to RBI, whose strong support and technical guidance were instrumental in making this launch possible