Farmers urged to embrace technology, innovation and partnerships

By The Inspirer.

The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Telesphore Ndabamenye, has urged farmers and livestock keepers to embrace technology, strengthen partnerships and promote innovation as key drivers of sustainable growth in Rwanda’s agriculture sector.

He made the remarks on Thursday while officially opening the 19th Rwanda Agricultural Show 2026 in Kigali.

The exhibition, running from July 22 to 31 under the theme, “Accelerating agricultural transformation through innovation and partnerships,” brings together farmers, agribusinesses, researchers, financial institutions and development partners to showcase technologies and solutions for the sector.

Ndabamenye said closer collaboration among farmers, innovators, investors, financial institutions and service providers is essential to ensure that technological advances reach producers and improve productivity.

“Innovation will have little impact if farmers and livestock keepers cannot access it. Strong partnerships between innovators, financial institutions and service providers are needed to ensure these solutions benefit farmers,” he said.

He noted that innovation and collaboration are becoming increasingly important as the sector faces mounting challenges from climate change, crop and livestock diseases, and rising input costs linked to global instability.

“It is clear that increasing agricultural and livestock production will not be possible without innovation and collective efforts to address the challenges facing the sector,” he said.

The minister encouraged participants to apply the knowledge and technologies showcased at the exhibition during the next planting season, adding that the government will continue investing in agricultural research, innovation and technology-driven farming.

“The government will continue promoting the adoption of technology, innovation and investment to modernize agriculture and livestock production. We encourage farmers and livestock keepers to put into practice the knowledge they acquire at this exhibition,” he said.

Ndabamenye described the exhibition as an important platform for identifying solutions to constraints affecting agricultural development while showcasing innovations from Rwanda and abroad that can help improve productivity and resilience.

He also said the event provides entrepreneurs with opportunities to exchange ideas, develop new business partnerships and expand their enterprises through networking and knowledge sharing.

The coordinator of the Rwanda Agricultural Show, Dr Patrick Karangwa, said participation has continued to grow, with more than 600 exhibitors taking part in this year’s edition.

“The exhibition has become a flagship event, and participation continues to increase every year,” he said.

Karangwa said previous editions attracted between 300 and 400 participants, rising to 500 in 2025 before surpassing 600 exhibitors this year.

Outstanding exhibitors and innovators will be recognised with awards when the exhibition concludes on July 31.

Agriculture and livestock remain central to Rwanda’s economy, contributing about 19 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, while around 70 percent of the country’s industries process agricultural and livestock products.