Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) has announced the start of operations of a modern farming pilot project in Gashora, Rwanda, that will see the rollout of specially developed VW-badged electric tractors (e-tractors) for use by farmers in the area.

The GenFarm Project aims to facilitate electric-powered, mechanised farming services for rural areas in Africa.

The goal is to also provide mobility services for the transportation of goods and people.

Preparation for the construction of what is called an empowerment-hub, or e-hub, at the Gashora facility is underway, and is expected to be operational by the first half of next year.

Equipped with PV power and energy storage systems, the hub will provide clean energy, training, storage space and business space to farming cooperatives in Gashora.

VWA signed a memorandum of understanding with the Rwandan government in June last year to provide land for the GenFarm Project.

The project is being rolled out in partnership with Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda, Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe, the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, and other partners.

Volkswagen Group Innovation Centre Europe is supplying the e-tractors and other equipment for the project from Wolfsburg, in Germany.

“We want to offer various services in the empowerment hubs,” explains Volkswagen Group Innovation MD Dr Nikolai Ardey.

“Farmers can book an e-tractor, including a trained driver, for affordable sustainable farming.

“The unique selling point of the project is the use of the battery swap system.

“In this way, the battery becomes part of the hub's energy infrastructure, as well as energy storage for the tractor.

“We are growing our footprint in Africa and regard Rwanda as a key growth market,” adds VWA MD Martina Biene.

“This project…highlights our ability to provide mobility solutions to a rural community, in addition to the urban community currently serviced by our Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda business.

“The GenFarm Project fosters technological innovation and aligns with Volkswagen’s strategy to generate meaningful value for both society and the environment through sustainable mobility.”

The agricultural sector currently accounts for 25% of Rwanda’s GDP.

VWA is headquartered in Kariega, in the Eastern Cape.