In Rwanda food insecurity is exacerbated by soil exhaustion which hinders crop production. The application of fertilizers by farmers without proper guidance leads to wasted resources and worsens the already bad situation. The soil types are different from location to location necessitating that farmers apply fertilizers which are best suited to their locations and different crops. In the absence of this, farmers have continuously failed to reach optimal yields.
In pursuit of remedy for this enormous obstacle, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), with support from the CGIAR Excellence in Agronomy Initiative (EiA) and BKTecHouse and the Rwanda Space Agency (RSA), launched a joint research initiative in 2021 to develop Rwanda Soil Information System (RwaSIS). The platform includes tailored fertilizer recommendations for crops such as potatoes, rice, maize, wheat, beans, and cassava. These recommendations address each crop’s specific nutrient requirements and enhance soil fertility management across the country.
Rigorous Soil Sampling and Analysis
The International Potato Center (CIP) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) contributed to EiA efforts by conducting trials in collaboration with other partners, to determine characteristics and needs of different soil types in Rwanda heterogeneous agricultural sites. The initiative, funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed to develop a comprehensive digital soil information system for 6 priority crops (cassava, potato, rice, wheat, maize, and beans).
In December 2024, after four years of sampling and analysis, Rwanda Soil Information System (RwaSIS), a technology providing farmers with soil information and site-specific fertilizer recommendations was launched in Kigali. These recommendations address each crop’s specific nutrient requirements and enhance soil fertility management across the country.
“By providing farmers with reliable soil data and tailored fertilizer recommendations, we paved the way for more efficient and sustainable farming practices, boosting productivity and contributing to the country’s food security goals.” said Dr. Bester Mudereri, Data Science Agronomist at International Potato Center (CIP).
Site-Specific, Data-Driven Recommendations
RwaSIS is built upon the existing Soil Nutrient Mapping System (SNS), a government’s fertilizer scheme that facilitates farmers’ access to inorganic fertilizers at subsidized prices. The use of that site-specific fertilizer advisory services is estimated to increase farm yields by at least 20% while also reducing environmental risks. This digital solution will allow farmers and agronomists to access critical soil information and receive actionable, data-driven recommendations, making it a valuable tool for improving crop outcomes.
During the official launch of RwaSIS, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), highlighted the importance of precision agriculture for Rwanda’s agricultural future.
“Site-specific fertilizer recommendations will optimize fertilizer use, increase yields, and protects the environmental risks. This platform is set to revolutionize how we approach farming in Rwanda as it is available for all the farmers.”
Dr. Job Kihara, co-leader of CGIAR’s EiA expressed his excitement for such partnerships with Rwanda authorities to support sustainable farming practices through science-based agronomic solutions.
“The Rwanda Soil Information Service will empower farmers to adopt targeted soil and fertilizer management strategies that enhance productivity and environmental sustainability.”
Key Hallmarks of RwaSIS
- Farmers will receive personalized fertilizer plans based on detailed soil data across Rwanda’s diverse agroecology.
- A dedicated USSD system will enable smallholder farmers to access key information on soil health and crop management directly from their mobile phones through the Rwanda Smart Nkunganire system (https://smartnkunganire.rw/).
- A user-friendly interface will allow easy access to fertilizer recommendations, with seamless synchronization from the RwaSIS portal.
- RwaSIS covers priority crops, including potato, rice, maize, wheat, cassava, and beans, offering tailored guidance for each.
Smart Nkunganire System (SNS) tool – improved fertilizer recommendations. The platform has over 1.5 million registered and provides users with cost-effective site-specific fertilizer recommendations to Rwanda’s millions of small-scale farmers.
Faustin Munyakayanza, a potato farmer from Nyamagabe District, Southern Province, testified the crucial difference that RAB’s interventions made.
“Before RAB tested the soil, we only used NPK fertilizer for planting. Today, we use a combination of NPK, DAP, and urea, which has increased our yield from 20 tons of potatoes per hectare to 30 tons per hectare,” Munyakayanza said.
Currently, fertilizer guidelines for potatoes and rice are available, with maize and wheat to be added in 2025 and beans and cassava planned for the near future. By 2025, the tool is expected to benefit at least 300,000 farmers, with the eventual goal of reaching over 1.5 million SNS-registered farmers.
“Delivery of tailored agronomy solutions to farmers, making sure loss of nutrient is minimized and save on the cost of fertilizers.” Dinah Borus, CIP Rwanda Country Manager.
RwaSIS helps farmers by giving them accurate information about their soil and offering fertilizer suggestions that are just right for their land. This helps improve soil health and boosts crop production. Such data-driven agronomic solutions are important in addressing the challenges of soil depletion and inefficient resource use. RwaSIS will potentially enhance food security and support the country’s vision of a thriving agricultural sector.