Govt launches ROPAAS to professionalise farm advisory services, boost food output

By The Inspirer.

The Government has officially launched the Rwanda Organization of Professional Agricultural Advisory Services (ROPAAS), a new body bringing together more than 350 agronomists, in a move aimed at strengthening advisory services and accelerating food production.

Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) on March 26, 2026, the organisation is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting national efforts to increase crop yields, particularly through improved management of consolidated farming schemes.

ROPAAS Director General, Innocent Ntabana, said the body will bridge gaps in agricultural advisory services by providing farmers with modern, professional support across the entire value chain—from production to market access.

He noted that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader strategy to expand private sector participation in agriculture.

“ROPAAS will connect farmers to essential services, including access to improved seeds, fertilisers and reliable markets, while ensuring advisory services are better structured and more accessible,” he said.

Ntabana emphasised that improving produce quality is critical to competitiveness, warning that substandard harvests often result in lower prices or rejection in both local and export markets.

He added that the organisation introduces a results-based model, where advisors will support farmers to increase productivity and, in return, earn based on performance gains.

The body brings together specialists in irrigation, seed production, soil fertility management and crop protection, and will operate nationwide.

It is also expected to set professional standards for agricultural advisory services and promote partnership models that allow farmers and advisors to share benefits from increased output.

Permanent Secretary at MINAGRI, Olivier Kanama, said the move marks a shift towards a more efficient and farmer-centred advisory system.

“Professionalising advisory services will bring experts closer to farmers and deliver tangible gains in productivity, moving beyond a system that was previously driven largely by the state,” he said.

Although established in June 2022, ROPAAS has now been formally launched, with the government set to leverage it to strengthen agricultural extension services, improve post-harvest management and expand market access.