By Seif Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali, Rwanda,
A total of 311 extension workers have completed a training program organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) through the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in partnership with One Acre Fund.
These extension workers were awarded nationally recognized certificates after receiving training on modern agriculture, soil conservation, and techniques aimed at boosting agricultural yield.
Among them are 234 community-based extension workers operating in consolidated land use areas (ibyanya bigega), as well as 77 One Acre Fund staff members responsible for monitoring the organization’s activities across the country.
Their tasks include approaching farmers, offering them advice, and helping them farm professionally to achieve high and quality yields.
Mukeshimana Drocella, an extension worker in Kivuye Sector, Burera District, stated that the knowledge acquired will help them assist farmers in adopting professional farming practices.
She said: “We are going to help farmers farm professionally so that they can obtain high and quality yields, ensuring food security and producing a surplus for the market.”
She further noted that during the training, they were equipped with knowledge on how to tackle climate change challenges and how to support farmers in transitioning from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture.
Dushimiyimana Eric, one of the graduates, called upon agricultural officials to get closer to farmers, listen to their challenges, and understand their needs.
He mentioned that the training helped them identify strategies to improve agriculture, particularly in areas where farming was not conducted professionally.
He said: “Our contribution is to help transform lagging agricultural practices. There were areas where farming was not done professionally, but since we began this training, positive changes have started to show. We will continue to educate farmers.”
Dushimiyimana added that they will put strong emphasis on soil conservation, particularly in controlling soil erosion.
He said: “There were noticeable challenges, especially in soil erosion control, but now we are going to focus heavily on soil conservation so that the land is no longer left bare.”
He gave an example of some farmers who increased their Irish potato yield from 5 or 10 tonnes per hectare to between 20 and 25 tonnes per hectare after implementing the modern practices taught.
Sonia Muhikaze, Country Director of Partnerships at One Acre Fund Rwanda, stated that the partnership between the organization and the Government of Rwanda has so far helped over two million farmers access agricultural knowledge and support.
Muhikaze noted that since 2015, extension services have expanded by 400%, adding that this approach played a role in implementing national extension policies and generating data that aids decision-making to increase output.
She also mentioned that graduates of the first cohort of this training contributed to a 16% increase in agricultural yield through the use of farm inputs and soil conservation techniques.
The certificates were awarded during the closing ceremony of the 19th National Agriculture Show held at Mulindi in Kigali City, which brought together more than 670 exhibitors.
The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, stated that the Government of Rwanda will continue to support farmers to ensure their efforts become more profitable.
He urged farmers, livestock keepers, and other partners to utilize the knowledge gained, particularly starting with the September 2026 planting season.
He said: “Results will be measured by the speed of agricultural and livestock transformation, as well as its contribution to increasing yields and promoting national development overall.”
One Acre Fund, locally known as Tubura, aims to reach 1,100 consolidated land use areas and support over 115,000 farmers cultivating more than 62,000 hectares by 2030.
