A recent report reveals that Rwanda harvested 29,510 tons of maize in 2024, a significant increase from 5,837 tons in 2023—representing a remarkable growth of 405.51%. This far exceeds initial projections, marking a nearly 400% increase compared to earlier targets.
Maize storage facilities in Rwanda are located in Nyagatare, Nyabihu, Bugesera, Nyanza, and Nyamagabe districts, ensuring better post-harvest management.
Data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources indicates that in the first quarter of 2024, maize production reached 507,985 tons, up from 390,879 tons in the same period in 2023—a 30% increase. Current reserves are expected to sustain the population for the next three months.
This bumper harvest is attributed to effective agricultural practices, such as terracing to combat soil erosion and the use of high-quality fertilizers. Over 1,031,282 hectares of land across the country have been developed with terraces to protect against soil degradation.
To further boost resilience, the government introduced modern irrigation systems to reduce reliance on rainfall. Around 37,273 hectares near rivers and lakes have been equipped with advanced irrigation technologies, while an additional 26,201 hectares on hilly terrains have been prepared for sustainable farming.
Despite these achievements, some targets remain unmet. The Ministry of Agriculture had aimed to store 140,980 tons of maize and 69,917 tons of beans by 2024 under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), which concludes this year.
However, policymakers cite climate change as a major factor behind the shortfall. In 2023, heavy rains destroyed mature crops, including cereals and legumes, while an early dry season further damaged surviving yields.
Staple crops such as beans and maize, critical for household food security, were the most affected. The Eastern and Southern provinces—Rwanda’s key agricultural regions—suffered the worst losses.
While staple crop production faced challenges, export-oriented crops delivered significant gains, generating $839.2 million in the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
Coffee contributed $78.71 million, while tea earned $114.88 million, making it Rwanda’s top foreign exchange earner among export crops. Tea’s advantage lies in its year-round harvestability, unlike coffee, which requires longer processing times.
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year, agriculture contributed 27% to Rwanda’s GDP. While the services sector remains the leading driver of economic growth, agriculture is steadily increasing its share through modernization initiatives. These include mechanization, improved irrigation, and reduced dependence on traditional farming methods.
The government has implemented strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, ensuring that agriculture, livestock, and other livelihoods become more resilient to natural disasters and external shocks.
Rwanda’s commitment to modernizing agriculture and boosting food security remains commendable, but addressing climate challenges will be key to sustaining this progress.