On Monday, December 15, 2025, Rwanda officially launched a technology-driven project aimed at combating diseases and pests that damage crops. The project seeks to increase agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and reduce the losses faced by farmers.
The project was launched at the RAB/ISAR Rubona center, where research capacity will be expanded on potatoes, cassava, bananas, and sweet potatoes using genetic engineering and gene editing technologies. Researchers will also have the opportunity to attend short-term training programs abroad, particularly in the United States, to gain knowledge and bring new solutions to Rwandan agriculture.
Madame Solange Uwituze, State Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, said, “This project will help farmers fight diseases such as late blight in potatoes, brown streak in cassava, and banana bacterial wilt in bananas and sweet potatoes. This will increase productivity even on small plots of land, under low-water conditions and with minimal labor.”
She added, “The goal is to increase food production sustainably, using technology while reducing the reliance on chemical pesticides.”
Dr. Simon Heck, Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP), said, “Agricultural technology must be integrated into all sectors of the country, from policy to researchers, schools, and training centers. Technological solutions for potatoes and bananas have already been developed and are now being made available to farmers. This will help increase food production on small plots, under low-water conditions, so that citizens have sufficient, nutritious, and affordable food.”
Dr. Hugo Campos emphasized that Rwanda has a unique opportunity in agriculture. He said, “Rwanda has the chance to be a model in Africa for using agricultural technology to benefit farmers and citizens. This project is not just about research; it is about practical solutions that reach farmers.”
On behalf of development partners, Lawrence Kent said, “We support this project because it aims to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The new investment, which will reach $14 million over five years, is intended to strengthen researchers’ capacity and build a center of excellence at Rubona.”
Dr. Eric Magembe, head of crop biotechnology research at USAID’s Feed the Future Global Biotech Potato Partnership, explained that the project aims to advance modern agriculture. He said, “Our goal is to establish a center of excellence at Rubona to promote technology-driven seeds and guide them through the approval process. We will focus on potatoes resistant to late blight, cassava resistant to brown streak, and bananas and sweet potatoes resistant to banana bacterial wilt.”
The project is expected to transform Rwandan agriculture, increase the production of nutritious and affordable food, promote sustainable farming, and help farmers combat diseases and pests that destroy crops. Rwanda is emerging as one of the leading countries globally in adopting agricultural technology.
