Rwanda’s agriculture sector has taken a major step toward modernisation following the official launch of the Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization through Farmer Field Schools (SAM-FFS) program at the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) campus in Bugesera.
The initiative is a joint effort by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rwanda, RICA, and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).
It aims to equip smallholder farmers with practical skills in climate-smart, business-oriented mechanization and conservation agriculture.
The program strengthens the entire mechanization ecosystem—from local producers and cooperatives to farmer facilitators and machinery repair service providers—by promoting environmentally responsible and economically viable farming technologies.
FAO Rwanda Representative, Dr. Nomathemba Mhlanga, highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating that joining forces with RICA and RAB reinforces FAO’s commitment to transforming smallholder agriculture through innovation. She emphasized that sustainable and climate-resilient mechanization is essential for empowering rural producers, protecting natural resources, and securing long-term livelihoods.
As part of the program rollout, 30 Farmer Field School (FFS) facilitators from Gatsibo, Bugesera, and Kirehe districts completed an intensive two-week hands-on training at RICA.
The course used the participatory FFS model to build practical skills in sustainable agricultural mechanization, conservation agriculture, machinery operation, and farmer-centered learning approaches. Facilitators were also trained to incorporate these components into localized FFS curricula.
RICA’s Interim Vice Chancellor, Dr. Olusegun Adedayo Yerokun, underscored the strategic value of the collaboration, noting that the program aligns with RICA’s conservation agriculture mandate and contributes to better soil health and increased productivity.
A core component of the SAM-FFS initiative is enterprise development.
The program trains facilitators to help farmers view mechanization not only as a production tool but also as a viable business opportunity—strengthening local service markets, improving access to equipment, and creating new income streams for cooperatives.
RAB’s Acting Director General, Dr. Solange Uwituze, stressed the importance of community-level engagement to ensure the successful adoption of sustainable mechanization practices.
She affirmed RAB’s commitment to mobilizing smallholder farmers and providing ongoing technical support across the targeted districts.
The project is also expected to support modernization within Rwanda’s Food Basket Sites (FoBaSi), where the SAM-FFS pilots are being implemented.
By enhancing the technical and advisory capabilities of facilitators, the program aims to accelerate the adoption of climate-smart mechanization technologies across Rwanda.
It is expected to boost agricultural productivity, create youth employment, strengthen rural livelihoods, and contribute to a more resilient agrifood system.
