In recent years, Rwanda has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its potato sector, thanks to collaborative efforts between the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and the International Potato Center (CIP), supported by the USAID-funded Great Lakes Accelerated Innovation Delivery Initiative (AID-I GLR), and other projects intervening and supporting potato sector.
Over the past years, the RAB and CIP partnership supported by USAID- PSDAG project has led to the release of 11 new potato varieties, marking the first introduction of such varieties in nearly three decades. Before this release, the potato sector was mainly dominated for many years by old and same varieties such as Kinigi and Nyirakabondo. When the 11 new varieties were released, they were not accorded a warm reception as farmers continued using old and degenerated varieties with low yield and susceptibility to the pest and diseases. This was mainly due to lack of information and awareness, limited access to clean seeds, and lack of knowledge of seed multipliers on good agronomic practices for seed production. The AID-I GLR project came with different approaches such learning sites, on-farm demo plots, use of small packs, VBA, farmer field days etc. to ensure wide adoption of the new seeds as they yield more and have good taste like their preferred old seeds.
Nowadays, many farmers from Musanze district are already experiencing the benefits of these new varieties firsthand.
“These new varieties are amazing “said Irene Uwimana who manages one of the on-farm demo plots showcasing the impressive growth and resilience of these potatoes. “. “They adapt well to weather conditions and have shown remarkable vegetative growth leading to good yields.” Farmers in her community frequently visit her plot to witness the progress, with many already expressing interest in purchasing seeds from her upcoming harvest.”
A New Era for Potato Farming in Rwanda
The introduction of these new potato varieties comes at a crucial time when Rwandan farmers are facing challenges related to climate change and food security. All eleven released varieties have been specifically bred for high yields, tolerance to pests and diseases, and adaptability to varying climatic conditions. With these improvements, farmers can expect better harvests and increased resilience against environmental stress. Today, some of these new varieties—such as Cyerecyezo, Gisubizo, Kazeneza, Nkunganire, and Ndamira—have have gained farmers preference compared to others.
To ensure that these new varieties reach the farmers who need them most, AID-I GLR has been instrumental in enhancing seed production capacity at all levels. The project has focused on increasing the quantity of quality early-generation seeds (EGS), which are crucial for establishing a robust seed supply chain. In addition to EGS production, the project has supported extensive training for seed multipliers, and training of trainers for agronomists and agricultural extension officers from scaling partners, enabling them to effectively disseminate knowledge about these new varieties.
Bridging the Gap: From Research to Reality
Since the project’s inception, collaboration between CIP and RAB has significantly boosted the production of early-generation seeds. This partnership has facilitated exposure to various stakeholders in the seed value chain, including agronomists and agricultural extension officers. By employing innovative approaches such as on-farm demonstration plots and training programs, the project has effectively raised awareness about the benefits of these new potato varieties.
According to RAB record, the demand for basic seed potatoes from seed multipliers to RAB, was recorded approximately 130,000 metric tons by the 2025A planting season started in September 2024, with over 52% consisting of these new potato varieties. Notably, Cyerecyezo alone accounts for about 31.3% of this demand among recently released varieties. This record represents a substantial increase compared to two years ago when demand for new varieties was less than 10% of total seed demand (data provided by RAB potato program).
“It is inspiring to see high quality seed potatoes for new varieties such as Cyerecyezo reaching farmers. Cyerecyezo ‘s high yield, short maturation period, drought tolerance and impressive tuber bulking rate make it a truly climate-smart variety. Dinah Borus commended on seed potato system development over recent years through AID-I and other projects.
“It’s medium dormancy ensures household food security and is suitable for long-distance markets. With large, attractive tubers, just a few can feed an entire family- a remarkable variety for farmers and communities”. Dinah who evaluated the performance of Cyerecyezo, commonly known as Unica in other countries, during her PhD research and played an active role in introducing the variety in Kenya, concluded.
Fostering Awareness about new Varieties among Farmers
Mr. Theophile Ndacyayisenga, potato breeder at RAB Musanze emphasized that the increase in early-generation seed production is largely driven by the AID-I’s project support and heightened demand from trained seed multipliers. Training sessions conducted by RAB and CIP have fostered greater awareness about these new varieties among farmers, stimulating adoption.
To further enhance seed production efficiency, RAB and CIP are exploring advanced technologies such as aeroponics and rooted apical cutting (RAC). These methods allow for rapid multiplication of high-quality seeds while ensuring that farmers can access them quickly and affordably. RAC technology has shown promise, offering higher productivity within just two to three seasons.
As Rwanda continues its journey toward agricultural modernization, it is imperative that stakeholders—including CIP, RAB, scaling partners, and seed companies—remain committed to expanding access to these innovative potato technologies. These efforts aim not only at achieving food security in the region but also towards poverty reduction.
The collaborative initiatives spearheaded by CIP and RAB underscore a shared vision for sustainable agricultural practices that will propel Rwanda’s potato industry into a new era of growth. As we look forward to future planting seasons, there is optimism that widespread adoption of these high-yielding potato varieties will positively impact farmers’ livelihoods across the country.
With continued support from USAID through projects like AID-I GLR, Rwanda’s potato sector is poised for a remarkable transformation—one that promises not only increased productivity but also enhanced food security for future generations.
CIP and RAB appreciate the support provided by Feed the Future, USAID through AIDI GLR project.
Written by: Jean Claude Nshimiyimana
Reviewed by: Dr. Dinah Borus- CIP; Ms. Ritha Bumwe- IITA, Ferguson Olemarampa – CIP
This work was undertaken as part of the Great Lakes accelerated innovation delivery initiative, rapid hub (AID-I GLR), funded by Feed the Future.