Rwanda to roll out high-iron beans in schools to boost nutrition and youth agriculture

By Elias Hakizimana.

In the near future, Rwanda’s schoolchildren could find something new and powerful on their lunch plates: high-iron beans. The government, in partnership with the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT, is preparing to introduce the nutrient-rich crop into school feeding programs, aiming to fight malnutrition while inspiring a new generation to see farming as opportunity.

At the recent partnership launch ceremony, Emmanuel Dusingizimana, Executive Secretary of Rwanda’s schools organization, described the program as a chance to use food as both nourishment and education.

“In every plate of high-iron beans, we are building intelligence, health, and prosperity. What we sow today, we determine what to harvest tomorrow,” he said, urging schools to embrace beans as a tool for both learning and wellbeing.

A bold nutrition strategy

Beans are already Rwanda’s most important staple. The country consumes more beans per person than anywhere else in the world, yet production still lags behind potential.

According to Dr. Solange Uwituze, Acting Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB), average yields remain far below what trials suggest is possible.

“We are registering 800 kilograms per hectare, whereas in controlled environments we reach two tonnes for bush beans and four tonnes for climbing beans,” she noted. “Our ambition is to be not only the biggest consumers of beans but also the biggest producers.”

The introduction of biofortified beans varieties enhanced with higher levels of iron and zinc is expected to address nutritional gaps, particularly among school-age children vulnerable to anemia and stunted growth.

Schools as test beds for innovation

Over the past decade, the Alliance has worked with Rwandan scientists to develop more than 40 improved bean varieties. The next step is piloting them in school gardens and eventually integrating them into national feeding schemes.

Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Managing Director for Africa at the Alliance, emphasized the importance of starting with schools.

“Innovation is being able to feed your children in your own schools… You will never get rocket science if the children are hungry,” she said.

The program envisions schools as living laboratories, where children learn farming skills while benefiting from healthier diets.

Linking nutrition, youth, and rural economies

The school bean initiative aligns with Rwanda’s PSTA 5 strategy, which promotes climate-smart agriculture, technological innovation, and opportunities for youth and women in the agrifood sector. By sourcing beans locally, schools will create demand that supports rural farmers, while students gain hands-on experience in food production.

Dusingizimana said the program is about cultivating both bodies and minds. “We want every student to feel the pride of ownership — ‘kwiharika’ — whether through tending a crop or raising livestock. This is how we raise responsibility and inspire entrepreneurship.”

Planting seeds for the future

While the program is still in its early stages, its goals are ambitious: fight malnutrition, empower youth, and position Rwanda as a leader in both bean consumption and production.

If successful, the initiative could become a model for other African nations looking to link agriculture with education, ensuring that future generations are not only well-fed but also prepared to lead in science, innovation, and farming.

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