Seed multipliers have been called up to formalize their activities in a bid to boost local seed production industry and satisfy the country’s huge demand for improved seeds.
The call was made on March 27, 2019 in Musanze District during a meeting that brought together seed suppliers from all districts of Northern Province, Rubavu and Nyabihu of Western Province, Directors in charge Agriculture and Natural Resources at district level, and Vice Mayors in charge of economic development.
The meeting was also attended by top officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), and Northern Province, among others.
During the meeting, it was noted that many local seed multipliers still work informally; thus making difficult for them to compete on the market in terms of selling their seeds locally through the national subsidy scheme – Nkunganire.
“You should reorganize yourselves and form seed companies at district level so that it can be easier for you to produce seeds and sell them in your respective communities through Nkunganire scheme. And we are here to support you and offer what it takes to make it happen,” Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, DrGerardineMukeshimana, told seed multipliers in Musanze District.
The seed multipliers vowed to start the process of forming seed companies specializing in seed multiplication and agro inputs business in their respective districts.
District officials were tasked to compile a database of all seed multipliers operating in their districts, while RAB was tasked to provide them with technical support in terms of increasing the number of seed inspectors and equipping local agronomists with basic knowledge in seed inspection so they can assist the certified inspectors.
The new move is in line with the Government of Rwanda commitment to encourage a new private sector partnership to produce improved seeds locally and make Rwanda self-reliant in seeds and be able to export the surplus.
Since 2016, the government has increased budget allocated to research activities (at least Frw 1.3 billion each fiscal year) meant to develop new seeds locally. So far, some new varieties that are high-yielding and disease tolerant have been released and disseminated across the country for multiplication. The target is to make Rwanda self-reliant in seeds produced locally by 2021.