The 18th edition of the International Agriculture and Livestock Exhibition, held on June 20, 2025, at Mulindi in Gicumbi District, showcased a new era in Rwanda’s agricultural and livestock practices. The event brought together over 500 participants, including farmers, livestock keepers, investors, private sector actors, and development partners. The focus was on presenting practical, science- and technology-driven solutions to increase productivity and address existing challenges in the sector.
The exhibition was officially opened by the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe. In his address, he emphasized the need for stakeholders to invest in modern agricultural research and innovation to transition Rwanda from labor-intensive to knowledge-based and technology-driven farming. He stated, “This is the time to shift Rwanda from traditional, manual agriculture to farming based on knowledge, technology, and investment. We must think about the market and the farmer’s profit.”
Dr. Bagabe further outlined urgent priorities for the next five years, including strengthening partnerships between government and the private sector, developing agro-processing industries, and expanding access to finance and agricultural insurance. He highlighted the progress of the national scheme “Tekana, Urishingiwe Muhinzi Mworozi,” which has reached over 189,000 farmers, supported by RWF 5 billion in government funding. “We need agriculture that is expansive and understands that a crop is a key economic solution. Agriculture should not be seen as subsistence, but as a professional, wealth-creating industry,” he added.
Several companies showcased their contributions to agricultural transformation through research and innovation. Martin Murenzi, Director of SOZO Company Ltd, presented high-yielding maize seed varieties—LAKE 601 and LAKE 606—developed through research conducted in Rwanda and the region. He noted, “We brought seeds that are tailored to local soils and climate, aiming to ensure that farmers are provided with the right inputs based on scientific knowledge, not just ordinary commercial seed.”
Murenzi also highlighted SOZO’s vision to empower youth through modern agriculture. “We encourage young farmers to use technologies like sensors to measure soil moisture, acidity, and other indicators that help them make informed decisions before planting,” he said.
From Rwanda Fertilizer Company Ltd, Valery Muhirwa, the Business and Agribusiness Development Manager, explained that the company develops fertilizers based on comprehensive soil and crop analyses. “The fertilizers we put on the market are not just mixed randomly. We conduct soil tests to determine exact nutrient needs. When we talk about NPK 17-17, it’s because we’ve assessed what the soil and crop require and formulated a precise solution,” he explained.
He added that the company has the capacity to produce 100,000 tons of fertilizer annually and is currently conducting research into environmentally friendly fertilizer formulations. Rwanda Fertilizer Company is also developing a digital system to connect farmers to fertilizer distribution centers, aiming to reduce losses caused by delayed access or inflated prices.
This exhibition highlighted the crucial role of collaboration between government, private sector actors, and researchers in redefining agriculture and livestock as key drivers of Rwanda’s knowledge-based and innovation-led economy.
