Huye, Rwanda – October 17, 2025
The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in collaboration with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), convened a two-day meeting to review progress and set future directions for the Rwanda Agri-Biotech Programme. This marked the first annual review and planning session since the programme’s launch in October 2024.
The Rwanda Agri-Biotech Programme is a five-year initiative running through 2029, focused on increasing the productivity and resilience of cassava, maize, and potato three critical crops in Rwanda’s agricultural sector. These crops face challenges such as cassava brown streak disease, potato late blight, and destructive insect pests like stem borers and fall armyworm.
Funded by the Gates Foundation and Gates Philanthropic Partners, the programme is implemented by a consortium of international and national institutions. RAB and AATF jointly coordinate efforts among key technical partners, including the International Potato Center (CIP), Michigan State University (MSU), Bayer, CIMMYT, and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (DDPSC). Each partner provides expertise in biotechnology research and crop improvement.
Over the first year, significant steps were taken, including regulatory progress and capacity building. A notable milestone was the environmental release approval granted by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA) on September 3, 2025, following detailed scientific and biosafety assessments.
Ongoing activities include confined field trials (CFTs) for late blight-resistant potato in Musanze, with two additional trials planned in Nyamagabe and Rwerere. Cassava trials have been conducted in Rubona and Bugesera, and a new site is under development at Rubona. Maize trials are also underway, with two CFT sites being established in Nyagatare and Rubona.
Looking ahead, the programme will shift its focus to national performance trials to assess how the improved varieties perform in different regions. It will also work on strengthening seed systems and expanding outreach to farmers and stakeholders. A key component of the next phase is continued engagement with regulators to ensure biosafety compliance and to support the responsible use of agricultural biotechnology.
The outcomes of this programme are expected to contribute to Rwanda’s long-term goals of improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and supporting smallholder farmers as they adapt to the challenges of climate change.
