MINAGRI shows the need for 100% se of quality improved seeds among smallholder farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) has underscored the need for smallholder farmers to reach 100 per cent adoption of quality improved seeds, warning that continued reliance on unimproved or uncertified seeds undermines productivity, food security and household incomes.

The call was made on Thursday, January 15, in Kigali, during the official launch of the Joint Collaboration Framework and Implementation Plan of the National Seed Association of Rwanda (NSAR) and key partner institutions, including Bank of Kigali (BK), the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB) and the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA).

Quality seeds as a foundation for agricultural transformation

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Telesphore Ndabamenye said achieving Rwanda’s agricultural transformation agenda requires universal access to quality seeds, particularly for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of the sector.

“Seeds are the foundation of agricultural productivity, food security and resilience. Their quality, availability and accessibility directly determine farmers’ yields, incomes and livelihoods,” Ndabamenye said.

He noted that only about 50 per cent of farmers currently use quality seeds, a level MINAGRI considers insufficient, especially given the government’s ambition to modernise agriculture and increase output.

“Our objective is clear: we want farmers across the country to use quality seeds at 100 per cent, not partially,” he said.

Food basket sites to enforce full adoption

Minister Ndabamenye said the government has already established food basket sites, consolidated agricultural production zones where 100 per cent use of quality improved seeds will be mandatory.

“Our priority is to ensure that quality seeds are available on time and in sufficient quantities, particularly for smallholder farmers,” he said, noting that demand continues to outstrip supply as more farmers adopt improved inputs.

Rwanda currently has over 30 seed companies and cooperatives, with sufficient production capacity for cereal seeds such as maize, while potato seed multiplication is expanding.

Strengthening the seed supply chain

NSAR Chairman, Innocent Namuhoranye said the Joint Collaboration Framework aligns with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which seeks to professionalise agriculture and commercialise value chains through modern inputs and technologies.

“These partnerships will attract both domestic and foreign investment to strengthen seed value chain systems,” Namuhoranye said, adding that international certification remains critical for accessing export markets.

He said NSAR is working with the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) to enhance laboratory capacity and align Rwanda’s seed certification system with OECD schemes, improving quality assurance and traceability.

Technology to eliminate counterfeit seeds

To support MINAGRI’s push for full adoption of quality seeds, NSAR, in partnership with MINAGRI and RICA, is developing a digital seed traceability system that will allow farmers to verify seed authenticity by scanning a code on the label.

“Counterfeit seeds are fraud and must be eliminated from the market,” Namuhoranye said, adding that most components of the system are expected to be in place by March, with full rollout planned by the end of the year.

Financing access to improved seeds

Through its partnership with Bank of Kigali, farmers and seed companies will access tailored financial products aimed at easing investment in quality seeds and related inputs.

BK Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Diane Karusisi said quality seeds are critical to making agriculture more predictable and bankable.

“If we don’t have the right seeds, we can forget about food security, import substitution, exports and job creation,” she said.

Bridging the technology gap for smallholders

Canisius Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), said many improved seed technologies already exist but are not reaching smallholder farmers fast enough.

“These technologies remain on shelves and in laboratories. We need to ensure they reach farmers and become practical tools for transformation,” he said.