Mbarushimana Pio named overall winner at OFAB Media Awards 2025

By Elias Hakizimana.

Kigali, Rwanda, September 19, 2025 – Mbarushimana Pio, a journalist with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), has been crowned the Overall Winner – Best of the Best at the 4th Edition of the OFAB Media Awards 2025.

His recognition, the highest honor of the awards, celebrates his outstanding contribution to agricultural biotechnology reporting on television and his consistency in transforming complex scientific research into impactful stories for the Rwandan public.

The annual awards, organized by the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB), honor journalists and influencers who excel in covering biotechnology and agriculture. Pio’s victory places him at the forefront of Rwanda’s science journalism and positions him to represent the country at the continental OFAB competition.

A Journey of learning and dedication

For Pio, this achievement is the result of persistence and professional growth.

“I am very happy to be the overall winner in this competition. The secret behind my success has been continuous learning, research, and balancing my stories with the voices of farmers and scientists,” he told The Inspirer.

His winning story drew from field visits in Musanze and Nyabihu Districts, where he met with Irish potato farmers, and in Ruhango District, where he engaged with cassava farmers. Many of them were struggling with pests and low yields.

To give his story depth, Pio engaged scientists at research stations in Huye and Musanze, where confined field trials of biotech crops are underway. This blend of real farmer experiences and scientific solutions helped him craft a compelling and balanced report.

Lessons from the OFAB Journey

This is not Pio’s first success at the OFAB Media Awards. Last year, he won Best TV Story and represented Rwanda at the continental level in Malawi. Although he did not secure the continental award then, he took the experience as motivation to work harder.

“I kept reading reports, studying international stories, and learning from other journalists. I also focused on improving the quality of my TV work—especially images and data collection. That’s what made the difference this year,” he said.

Biotech as a solution for Rwanda’s food security

At the heart of Pio’s journalism is a clear message: biotechnology is not a killer, but a cure. Addressing stereotypes and misinformation, he insists that Rwanda cannot afford to ignore science.

“We face a serious food security challenge in Rwanda. Our population is growing, but our land is limited. The only solution is technology. Just as technology is transforming health and education, it must transform agriculture,” he said.

He called on journalists to play their role in sensitizing citizens about biotechnology and ensuring that once biotech crops are approved, farmers will be ready to adopt them.

Beyond awards: A mission to inform

While the award is a major career milestone, Pio emphasizes that recognition is not his main motivation.

“My main purpose is not just to win competitions. It is to inform people, to help them understand the solutions science offers, and to prepare them for the future of farming,” he said.

As Rwanda moves closer to adopting biotech crops, journalists like Pio are helping bridge the gap between laboratories, policymakers, and farmers. His work continues to inspire both fellow journalists and the wider public to embrace innovation in agriculture.

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