Cultivated Land to Increase by 10%

By The Inspirer.

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) has announced plans to increase arable land by 10% to reach 802,000 hectares in the 2025A agricultural season.

The 2025A agricultural season is set to begin in September 2024 and is expected to contribute 70% of the food production that sustains the Rwandan population.

Speaking during a press conference titled “Kubaza Bitera Kumenya” on August 18, 2024, RAB Director General Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye stated that efforts are ongoing to expand the area under cultivation to boost crop yields.

“Typically, the cultivated land during a season does not exceed one million hectares. We have about 500,000 hectares occupied by permanent crops such as bananas, tea, and coffee, leaving a significant portion of land uncultivated,” Dr. Ndabamenye explained.

He added, “By increasing the cultivated land by 10%, we plan to allocate specific crops to these areas, including maize, potatoes, cassava, rice, soybeans, wheat, and vegetables. This expansion will bring the total cultivated land to 802,000 hectares.”

In addition, regions previously designated for grazing are now required to allocate 70% of their land to food crops. The remaining 30% will be used for crops that can also provide fodder for livestock.

Increase in Agricultural Inputs

Dr. Ndabamenye also highlighted that the use of agricultural inputs will increase in the upcoming season compared to the previous one. The government has been assisting farmers by subsidizing the cost of seeds and fertilizers to make them more affordable.

For instance, the NPK fertilizer, which costs 1,146 RWF per kilogram, is subsidized so that farmers pay only 684 RWF per kilogram. Currently, subsidies are provided for 17 different types of fertilizers.

Regarding seeds, a kilogram of hybrid maize seeds costs 2,350 RWF, but with government support, farmers pay only 650 RWF.

As of now, the total arable land available for cultivation in Rwanda exceeds 1.3 million hectares.

Government’s Commitment to Food Security

These initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing food security and improving the livelihoods of farmers across the country. By increasing the cultivated land and making agricultural inputs more accessible, Rwanda aims to boost crop production and ensure a steady supply of food for its growing population.

Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of these opportunities and support the nation’s goal of achieving sustainable agricultural development.

theinspirerpublications@gmail.com