Rwanda is stepping up efforts to expand climate-smart agriculture, with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) seeking machinery that can support conservation farming on large areas of land during the 2027A agricultural season.
The government has set a target of cultivating more than 100,000 hectares using conservation agriculture, a farming approach considered key to improving soil health, retaining moisture and increasing crop productivity.
Across the country, about 765,000 hectares are expected to be cultivated during the 2027A season.
Conservation agriculture involves minimal soil disturbance.
Instead of traditionally ploughing the entire field, farmers make planting holes, apply manure or fertilizer, plant crops such as maize or beans and cover the soil with mulch.
The practice helps rainwater remain in the soil, providing crops with moisture for longer periods and potentially improving yields.
However, the availability of appropriate machinery remains a major challenge, particularly for farmers cultivating large plots.
Acting Director General of RAB, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, said the institution is working with partners to make the necessary machinery available to farmers and agricultural service providers.
“We are working with different partners to get machines used in conservation agriculture. Some places, such as RICA and others, already have them, but we want all people providing mechanized farming services to have machines that can be used on large areas,” Uwamahoro said.
The push comes as Rwanda prepares to intensify conservation agriculture and production under the FOBASI programme, a government initiative designed to concentrate agricultural support in areas with high production potential.
During the 2027A season, approximately 246,000 hectares are expected to be cultivated under FOBASI, with around 100,000 hectares receiving particular attention.
Authorities expect production in targeted areas to double compared with previous levels.
FOBASI brings together farmers working in selected areas, typically organized in small groups cultivating plots of about five hectares.
Farmers receive technical support, financial assistance, agricultural inputs and other services intended to increase productivity.
The government hopes that expanding conservation agriculture alongside mechanization will help farmers cope with changing weather conditions, improve soil moisture retention and ultimately increase food production.
With more than 100,000 hectares targeted for conservation farming, access to suitable machinery is expected to be critical to moving the practice from small-scale adoption to large-scale implementation across Rwanda.
