Rwanda to have climate-resilient crop varieties within five years

By The Inspirer.

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) has announced efforts to develop disease-resistant and climate-resilient crop varieties to be planted across the country. These crops aim to withstand the increasingly unpredictable weather conditions affecting the globe.

The 2025 agricultural season (Season A) began in September 2024. While crops are thriving in areas with sufficient rainfall, farmers in the Eastern Province and Amayaga region have faced challenges as delayed rains have caused seeds to dry up in the soil.

A local farmer shared his concerns with RBA, saying, “I had planted about four kilograms of maize from Tubura, but I’ve lost hope. The seeds are drying out due to the lack of water, and I’m already seeing losses. It’s not just me; other farmers are experiencing the same.”

Rwanda has set a goal to increase its irrigated farmland to 85% over the next five years. RAB reports that 299 irrigation schemes have been developed nationwide, with seven key hillside irrigation projects underway in Karongi, Nyanza, Kayonza, Gatsibo, and Rwamagana districts.

Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, Deputy Director General for Agricultural Development at RAB, highlighted ongoing efforts to develop crop varieties that can withstand both diseases and climate change.

“If we can produce seeds that are resistant to pests like the fall armyworm, we reduce the need for excessive pesticide use. For example, potatoes are prone to diseases that require a lot of chemicals. But with disease-resistant seeds, farmers can reduce input costs significantly,” Dr. Uwamahoro explained.

She added, “A five-year project has begun focusing on three key crops—maize, cassava, and potatoes—to develop varieties that resist both diseases and climate change.”

Rwanda expects agricultural production to increase by 50% in the next five years, ensuring food self-sufficiency in key crops while also generating surplus for export. The area covered by radical terraces is also set to expand from 142,000 hectares to over 160,000 hectares.

Efforts will also focus on improving post-harvest handling, enhancing market access, and boosting agro-processing capacity to reduce post-harvest losses to below 5%.

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