The Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) and Ingabo Ingabo Syndicate have signed a partnership agreement aimed at enhancing agricultural research and offering internship opportunities to students.
Through the agreement, signed on Monday, March 10, 2025, ICK will also promote the activities of Ingabo Syndicate through its ICK News publication.
The agreement was formalized by Father Prof. Fidèle Dushimimana, the Vice Chancellor of ICK, and Madam Césarie Kantarama, the Chairperson of Ingabo Syndicate.
Madam Kantarama emphasized the importance of partnering with ICK to advance agricultural research, stating, “As a university, ICK is already engaged in research, and Ingabo Syndicate is an organization dedicated to improving farming. Collaboration with ICK on agricultural research will significantly help us enhance our agricultural practices.”
She added that the partnership was an easy choice due to their shared history of collaboration and their geographical proximity, which would make achieving mutual goals easier. “A good neighbor is a valuable partner. Our longstanding relationship with ICK, combined with our shared region, makes this partnership a perfect fit,” Kantarama said.
Madam Césarie Kantarama signed the agreement on behalf of Ingabo Syndicate
Under the agreement, ICK will assist Ingabo Syndicate in building the capacity of farmers, enabling them to engage in more professional agricultural practices. Both parties will also work together to secure resources for joint projects.
ICK will further support Ingabo Syndicate by promoting its activities through ICK News, allowing for wider dissemination of agricultural messages and encouraging more farmers to adopt improved practices.
For ICK, the agreement presents an opportunity to strengthen its research activities, particularly through its Business Incubation Center (BIKA), which focuses on agricultural development.
Father Dushimimana highlighted the benefits of this partnership, saying, “Our BIKA center is focused on agricultural research, and collaboration with Sendika Ingabo will help us gain valuable insights and resources to enhance our work in this field.”
Father Prof. Fidèle Dushimimana signed the agreement on behalf of ICK
In addition to the research collaboration, ICK students will gain practical experience through internships within Ingabo Syndicate, providing them with hands-on experience in the agricultural sector.
The partnership is set to last for three years, with the possibility of extension depending on the success of the collaboration. Both organizations have agreed to jointly plan and monitor the activities under this agreement, with progress reviews taking place every six months.
Sendika Ingabo, founded in 1992 and legally recognized in 2005, is a farmers’ association focused on advocacy, professional agriculture, and the development of agricultural cooperatives.
The organization is a member of the East Africa Farmers Federation and the World Farmers Organization and recently joined the Private Sector Federation (PSF).
