After four years of specialized training provided at the Farmers’ Field School (IAMU/FFS), the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), awarded certificates to 91 farmer-livestock producers, along with 9 agronomists and veterinarians, making a total of 100 individuals expected to play a key role in increasing agricultural and livestock production in Rwanda.
These farmers received knowledge to assist their peers in modern crop cultivation and livestock rearing, using high-quality seeds and livestock breeds that produce significant amounts of meat and milk. The training focused on coping with climate change, increasing yields in a short time, and efficiently using Rwanda’s limited land resources.
This initiative comes as MINAGRI aims to double or at least increase agricultural and livestock production by 50% by 2029. This goal is expected to contribute 6% annually to the country’s economic growth, ensure food security, and increase foreign exchange from agricultural exports.
Graduates of the training will serve as advisory agents to farmers across the country to disseminate the skills they acquired. They were trained under the DeSIRA project funded by the European Union (EU), managed by FAO in collaboration with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
Experts from RAB, FAO, the University of Rwanda, and the International School of Tropical Agriculture (ISTOM) in France conducted the trainings. The IAMU schools are located in Burera, Rutsiro, Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Bugesera, and Ruhango districts, with training tailored to the dominant crops and livestock in each area.
In Rutsiro, farmers were trained in potato cultivation and pig rearing; in Burera, potato and cattle farming; in Ruhango, sweet potato cultivation; in Gatsibo, rice, maize, and cattle farming; in Nyagatare, cattle rearing; and in Bugesera, sweet potato cultivation.
Farmers report significant improvements. Aimé Dushime from Gatsibo stated that in 2023, one hectare yielded no more than 3.5 tons of rice, whereas now it produces at least 6.2 tons per hectare, with some exceeding this. He explained that they changed their practices, reducing seed use from 50 kg to 30 kg per hectare, focusing more on land preparation, proper use of fertilizers, and daily monitoring of crops.
Eugenie Niyimpaye, a potato farmer in Burera, said that before 2020, she harvested no more than 60 kg per are (1/100 of a hectare), but now she can harvest 200 kg, equivalent to 20 tons per hectare.
RAB Director General, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, highlighted that seeds provided by the agency have shown good yields, including Cyerekezo potatoes, Buryohe and Nsizebashonje fast-growing sweet potatoes, Biseruka maize, Teta rice, and Baraka cabbage.
FAO Rwanda official Josepha Mukamana stated that IAMU schools have demonstrated the potential to achieve yields of 30 tons of potatoes, 35 tons of sweet potatoes, and 7 tons of rice per hectare, aiming to improve nutrition and family livelihoods.
MINAGRI State Secretary Dr. Solange Uwituze noted that the 100 trained farmers, agronomists, and veterinarians, taught by just five trainers, are expected to train 1,600 others, allowing rapid scaling of impact. She explained that by 2050, Rwanda will have over 20 million people, up from 14 million today, with each Rwandan earning at least 14 million Rwf per year, emphasizing the need for sufficient food production on finite land.
MINAGRI’s PSTA5 program aims to create 1.25 million jobs, mostly for youth, and ensure 88% of Rwandan households are food secure. It also seeks to reduce child stunting from 27% to below 15% and increase agricultural exports to earn at least USD 1.5 billion annually.
MINAGRI stresses that despite providing fertilizer, high-quality seeds, and seedlings, yields have not yet reached desired levels. Therefore, more training, advisory services, and the use of technologies like AMIS for timely data collection are needed. Farmers are also advised to sign agreements with buyers before harvest to secure reliable markets and avoid losses.
