Papaya plants are grown in Rwanda by households on a small scale mainly for own consumption as fruits. The surplus fruits are sold to earn some cash. Papaya plants are grown in the following areas;

• Kayonzi
• Nyanza
• Rubavu
• Gikongoro

Uses of papaya

• Source income to the farmers
• Papaya fruit can be eaten to fight cancer
• Papaya fruit posses a lot of calcium for strong bones that is it contributes to healthy skin pores and supports in blood circulation.
• Papayas can be used as a food
• Papaya ointment can help heal minor cuts, burns, insect bites, grazes and abrasions, as well as sunburn, heat rash, gravel rash and chafing.
• Papaya can help to soften hands and feet
• Papaya fruit is excellent source of dietary fiber, folate, vitamin A, C and E
• Helps with the digestion, particularly it breaks down the proteins from the food we eat into amino acids.
• Can make juice  or wine out of it
• It can be used as food  tenderiser