· Rwanda is endeavouring to become a potential source for seeds.
· According to the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) Rwanda propose to export different varieties of maize seeds to Central Africa Republic (CAR) and DR Congo.
· Patrick Karangwa, Director General of RAB stated that Rwanda has already shipped samples of seeds for trials in the two central African nations.
Rwanda is endeavouring to become a potential source for seeds. According to the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) Rwanda proposes to export different varieties of maize seeds to Central Africa Republic (CAR) and DR Congo. Patrick Karangwa, Director General of RAB stated that Rwanda has already shipped samples of seeds for trials in the two central African nations.
The trial of the seeds from Rwanda has started to assess the yield and the adaptability of the seeds to the environment in these countries. By virtue of the big size and similarity of the texture of the soil in DRC to Rwanda, DRC is regarded as a potential market. RAB officials are reviewing the development with the CAR’s institute in charge of agriculture to see how the seeds are doing in the country. The deals, which come in the wake of the surplus production of seeds in Rwanda, open the possibilities of exporting seeds in the region that will lead to higher export earnings for Rwanda.
Rwanda has achieved self-sufficiency of seed of maize, soybean and wheat. It currently produces twice the amount of maize seeds it used to import a couple of years ago leaving it with a surplus, Karangwa said. The country discontinued import of maize, wheat and soybean seeds in September 2021. Earlier to that , the government of Rwanda used to import annually 3,500 metric tonnes of Maize, spending in excess of Rwf6 billion every year. Currently, Rwanda produces 8,875 metric tonnes of quality seeds including 7,207 metric tonnes of maize hybrid. It has almost 300 accredited private seed multipliers for major crops and 30 seed companies able to produce and market seed directly to farmers.
