By I.Habarurema*, A.Hategekimana, A.Musabyisoni, G.Gumisiriza, M.A.Ingabire, M.Uwamahoro, A.Kayumba, and G.Nshimyimana *Corresponding author: ihabarurema@yahoo.com

1. POTENTIAL FOR PROFITABLE WHEAT PRODUCTION IN RWANDA
I.Habarurema1, A.Hategekimana1, A. Musabyisoni1, G. Gumisiriza1, M. A. Ingabire1,
M. Uwamahoro1, A. Kayumba1, and G. Nshimyimana1
1Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB) - Northern Agriculture Zone Division (NAZD), P.O Box 73, Musanze, Rwanda
Introduction Strategies
Climatic conditions and generally fertile soils are conducive to grow wheat (1) Consolidation of land use (fig. 2);
crop in Rwanda. However, low use of appropriate inputs (fig.1) and low (2) Facilitation in supply of agricultural inputs: improved seed,
knowledge on grain production and post-harvest management practices have fertilizers and pesticides imported and distributed at subsidized
been the major constraints to wheat productivity, and subsequently to income price of 50% ;
of small-holder farm households and food security in Rwanda. Efforts made (3) Provision of extension services;
by the Government of Rwanda since 2007 have revealed the potential to (4) Improvement of post-harvest handling & storage mechanisms.
improve wheat productivity and therefore achieve food security through the
Crop Intensification Program (CIP). Moreover, increased quality wheat
production will benefit local millers that currently rely mostly on imported Achievements since 2007
wheat grain. 1.Wheat production has increased from approximately 24,000 t in
2007 to 158,975 t in 2012 (Fig.3);
2. Land area allocated to wheat shifted from 24,000 ha in 2007
to 75000 ha in 2012 (Fig.2);
3. Grain yield increased from 0.9 t/ha in 2007 to 2.1 t/ha in 2012.
4. Increased use of improved wheat seed at 46.3%;
5. Increase in national average fertilizer use from 8kg/ha in 2008 to
23kg/ha in 2010.
Production (t)
Land covered (ha)
180000
160000
Production (t)
140000
Fig. 1. Impact of low vs. high organic manure in wheat field 120000
100000
Programs’ objectives 80000
(1) Improve the access and effective utilization of the agricultural inputs; 60000
(2) Focus on the AEZ suitable to wheat crop production to ensure food
40000
security and income increase at household level;
(3) Strengthen the linkages of smallholders to market for inputs and 20000
outputs through improved access to finance and market information; 0
(4) Minimize the post harvest losses and facilitate linkages to upstream 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
of the value chain through improved storage ;
(5) Discouraging supply to focusing on the demand for inputs by Year
farmers and market-driven forces within the system
Fig.3. Trends of grain wheat production in Rwanda
Way forward
1. Developing and promoting appropriate wheat varieties to
reduce foreign currency expenditure on seed imports;
2. Continuously enhancing linkages among all stakeholders
involved in wheat production;
3. Moving from a traditional hoe to a mechanized agriculture and
irrigation systems while conserving soil fertility;
4. Strengthening farmers/farmer groups’ access to wheat seed
quality through community-based seed production;
5. Progressively exiting from subsidy program while ensuring the
initial purpose of subsidies are achieved.
Contact
Innocent Habarurema
Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB)
P. O. Box 5016, Kigali, Rwanda
Cell phone: (+250)784166177
Fig. 2. Land consolidated for wheat production in highlands of Rwanda E mail: ihabarurema@yahoo.com