RICA graduates 82 students, calls for practical solutions to agriculture challenges

Elias Hakizimana Sep 18, 2026 0 Comments

By The Inspirer.

The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) on Friday, September 18, 2026, graduated 82 students after three years of study, challenging them to use their knowledge and practical skills to address pressing challenges facing the agricultural sector.

The fourth graduation ceremony was held at RICA’s campus in Bugesera District, where the graduates were awarded bachelor’s degrees in various fields related to conservation agriculture and livestock production.

Dr. Edward Kadozi, Director General of the Higher Education Council (HEC), told the graduates that their degrees should be grounded in knowledge, practical skills and the ability to adapt to change and solve problems facing society.

“Remember that your knowledge is an investment that comes with a responsibility to society. Do not only ask, ‘What job can my degree get me?’ Instead, ask, ‘What problems can I solve because I have this degree?’ That is the mindset Rwanda needs,” he said.

Kadozi also urged the graduates to make effective use of technology as they apply their knowledge, while cautioning them against allowing technology to replace human judgment.

“We want graduates who can confidently use technology. But technology should be a tool; it should not replace people’s ability to make decisions,” he said.

RICA Director General Dr. Olusegun Yerokun congratulated the graduates and challenged them to develop practical solutions to problems affecting the agricultural sector, particularly those faced by smallholder farmers, while protecting soil and the environment.

“Today, we are not celebrating papers alone; we are celebrating the knowledge and practical skills students have gained during just three years of learning in classrooms, laboratories and fields,” Yerokun said.

He added that the graduates had been trained to develop solutions to agricultural challenges in order to support smallholder farmers and promote the conservation of soil and the environment.

With Friday’s graduation, RICA has now graduated 321 students over the past four years.

Among the 82 graduates, Irakoze Mizero Axelle was recognised as the top-performing student. In recognition of her outstanding performance, RICA offered her a position as a Research Associate.