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Rwanda’s food production grew by 2.6 percent during the 2025 Agricultural Season B, even as the total area of cultivated land declined, according to the Seasonal Agricultural Survey (SAS) released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
Total production of major food crops—including maize, beans, cassava, bananas, Irish potatoes, and sweet potatoes—rose from 3.45 million metric tons in Season B 2024 to 3.54 million metric tons in 2025, covering the months of March to June.
The NISR attributes this growth to improved crop yields, particularly among cassava, banana, and Irish potato farmers who adopted better inputs and modern farming techniques. Cassava production rose by 9 percent, Irish potatoes by 10 percent, and bananas by 2 percent, offsetting declines in crops such as sorghum and sweet potatoes. “High yields from a smaller land base indicate a shift toward productivity-driven agriculture,” the report notes, citing the increased use of improved seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, especially among larger farms.
During Season B 2025, average yields reached 14.4 tons per hectare for cassava, 12.4 tons for bananas, and 6.8 tons for Irish potatoes—placing them among Rwanda’s most productive crops. In contrast, sorghum and maize saw stagnant or falling yields, with sorghum production dropping by over 10 percent due to reduced planting areas.
Despite land constraints, farmers are becoming more efficient, with the survey reporting use of organic fertilizers (80.8%), inorganic fertilizers (55.5%), and pesticides (36.6%). Irrigation adoption also increased slightly, now practiced by 11.5 percent of farmers. Interestingly, the land area devoted to cassava and bananas decreased, yet their yields improved—a trend NISR attributes to intensified cultivation, targeted agroecological practices, and intercropping systems that allow multiple crops to share the same plot.
The Eastern and Western provinces remain Rwanda’s main food baskets. The Eastern Province led in banana and maize output, while the Western highlands—notably Nyabihu, Rubavu, and Musanze—dominated in Irish potato production. The findings underscore Rwanda’s shift from land expansion to productivity-based farming, a key component of its agricultural transformation strategy. Farmers are producing more food from less land, a critical adaptation as the country faces population pressure and climate change.
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Still, challenges persist. Only 18 percent of farmers used improved seeds, and mechanization remains minimal at just 0.7 percent. Many smallholders continue to rely on traditional practices, limiting further yield gains. Nevertheless, the 2025 Season B survey paints a picture of cautious optimism: Rwanda’s agricultural system is becoming more efficient, resilient, and output-driven, marking a positive step toward long-term food security.
