Rwanda deepens decade-long agricultural partnership to boost food systems and youth empowerment

By Elias Hakizimana.

Kigali, 14 August 2025 — Rwanda marked a milestone in agricultural innovation with the opening of a new country office for the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding with the Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Board (RAB).

The event celebrated a decade of collaboration between the Alliance and Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), emphasizing science-based solutions, climate-smart agriculture, and youth and women empowerment.

Hon. Minister of Agriculture Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe described the partnership as “a well-tended field – it yields season after season, bringing shared benefits to all.”

The renewed MoU builds on ten years of collaboration, advancing Rwanda’s PSTA 5 Agricultural Strategy, the National Strategy (NST2), and Vision 2050.

Dr. Bagabe highlighted innovations born from joint research and delivery, including biofortified, easy-to-cook bean varieties, Vitamin A-rich orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, improved banana and cassava practices, honey production innovations, and nutrient-rich porridge, all designed to improve smallholder livelihoods.

Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Africa Managing Director of the Alliance, stressed the critical role of youth in national development. “The youth are the asset of our country, but youth without assets become a liability,” she said, emphasizing the Alliance’s investments in Rwanda, which include more than 40 improved bean varieties, school feeding programs in hundreds of schools, digital tools for banana disease management, climate adaptation training for thousands of farmers, and support for dozens of SMEs.

She called for African-led innovation and local capacity building, arguing, “No one else is going to come… We have no one but ourselves,” and advocating for sustainable development of African scientists through advanced training and “brain circulation.”

RAB Acting Director General Dr. Solange Uwituze highlighted Rwanda’s global distinction as the highest per-capita bean consumer and the ongoing challenge of increasing productivity.

“We are registering 800 kilograms per hectare, whereas in controlled environments we reach two tonnes for bush beans and four tonnes for climbing beans,” she said, calling for joint efforts to ensure Rwanda becomes both a top consumer and top producer.

She praised the Alliance’s approach in bringing research out of the ivory tower and into practical, community-focused applications, citing examples of entrepreneurs transforming bean science into profitable enterprises.

The event also highlighted Rwanda’s leadership in food systems governance.

As a founding member of the Alliance of Champions for Food Systems Transformation, launched at COP28, Rwanda has implemented the National Food Systems Coordination and Delivery Unit and adopted the 3Fs financial tracking tool, becoming the first country to report results at the UN Food Systems Summit +4 Stocktake (UNFSS+4).

These mechanisms aim to enhance resource efficiency, coordination, and impact across food systems.

Looking forward, partnership priorities include innovative and blended funding models, scaling climate-smart, biofortified bean technologies, promoting high-yielding, disease-resistant banana varieties, and strengthening laboratory and research capacity.

“Partnership and investment in scientific research for food, nutrition, and climate resilience is an investment in the prosperity of our people and the future of our nation.” Dr. Bagabe noted.

The new Alliance office in Kigali, hosting 40 staff from CGIAR centers and partner organizations, will serve as a hub for research, collaboration, and innovation, symbolizing Rwanda’s commitment to locally driven solutions that empower farmers, enhance nutrition, and foster a resilient agricultural sector.

 

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