Sixteen young professionals from universities and seed companies completed a one-year training program at the RICA Seed Center, located at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture. The program is conducted in partnership with One Acre Fund and supported by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. The graduation ceremony took place at Kigali Serena Hotel, bringing together partners, leaders, trainers, and the graduating students, all appreciating everyone’s contribution to the success of the second cohort.
The Director of RICA Seed Center, Dr. Joseph Moughan, said that the program has become a driving force for the development of Rwanda’s seed sector, as it builds the capacity of people and institutions to produce, regulate, and deliver high-quality seeds to the market. He noted that 70% of the first cohort continued working in the seed sector, 30% in related fields, and some have started their own seed companies. He added that RICA Seed Center has collaborated with over 30 seed companies and has supported more than 2,000 farmers in accessing quality potato seeds, as well as launching a parent seed production service, an important step in strengthening the country’s capacity.
The CEO of One Acre Fund Rwanda, Belinda Bwiza, emphasized that the event was not only a celebration of student achievement but also a recognition of opportunities and the future of Rwanda’s agriculture. She stated that high-quality seeds play a crucial role in crop production because before the field is prepared or the rains arrive, the outcome begins with well-selected seeds managed by knowledgeable professionals. She thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources for policies that enable such programs and RICA for the infrastructure that supports effective learning.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Olivier Kamana, said that the graduates completed their training at a critical time, as the country needs more professionals to supply high-quality seeds locally and reduce imports. He added that the knowledge acquired will help increase the production of climate-resilient seeds.
As part of their final projects, students conducted research to support the agricultural sector. Albert Nkundineza, the top student, carried out a project on Protein and Zinc-enriched maize to evaluate its performance in the field and its potential to address malnutrition among children and adults. He said that before starting the project, they conducted a survey of farmers and the market to ensure the research met real needs. He added that during the year, they completed seven key lessons on seed quality, cultivation, harvesting, and supply chain management. His project aimed to assess the behavior of biofortified maize so that successful results could be extended to farmers.
Umutoni Vanessa carried out a project on pruning lower leaves of maize grown with cover crops. She explained that the method was intended to increase yield, as removing lower leaves helps maize plants grow better and improve production in the field. She added that the approach showed positive results for crop yield, helping farmers increase output, especially in areas where maize is grown alongside cover crops.
RICA Seed Center announced that the scores of the second cohort increased by 2% compared to the previous cohort, indicating that the knowledge and capacity of Rwanda’s seed professionals continue to grow. The program continues to demonstrate its role in strengthening the country’s seed sector and enhancing agricultural productivity sustainably.
