Rwanda Expands Crop Drive to Boost Food Security

Rwanda’s Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) says 819,000 hectares will be cultivated during the 2026A planting season as the country pushes to increase crop yields and strengthen food security.

The land will be planted with priority crops including beans, maize, cassava, potatoes, wheat, soybeans, rice, vegetables and fruits.

Speaking at the season’s launch in Ruhango District on Tuesday, RAB Deputy Director General for Crop Development, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, said the program will be reinforced through more than 13,000 “Food Basket Sites” nationwide, covering about 500,000 hectares. The sites will help monitor crops and improve productivity.

“This program builds on the land consolidation model where farmers grow one crop collectively through cooperatives, marshlands and terraces,” Uwamahoro said.

She pointed to maize as an example of Rwanda’s potential, noting that while current yields average two tons per hectare, research shows the crop can produce 10 to 12 tons under improved practices. “With quality seeds already available, this is achievable. It would allow us to be food secure and produce surpluses for the market,” she said.

Uwamahoro urged farmers to use more organic manure, which improves soil fertility and water retention, especially in sandy soils, making crops more resilient to climate change while complementing chemical fertilizers.

“You’ve often heard it said that agriculture and livestock are like a skirt and a blouse, but today they are one inseparable fabric,” she said.

She also called on agricultural officers to ensure farmers receive seeds and fertilizers on time.