Gashora, 10 January 2025 – The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture hosted the 3rd Annual Seed Industry Roundtable, bringing together over 60 seed industry stakeholders, including 35 seed companies, academia and banking sector. Organized by RICA Seed Center and One Acre Fund Rwanda, this year’s roundtable discussed ongoing challenges in the seed industry in Rwanda and explored avenues for potential partnerships with key players.
In his address, RICA Vice Chancellor Dr. Ron Rosati highlighted the 3rd seed industry roundtable as an opportunity to align technical direction, foster collaboration, and identify innovative solutions to advance the Seed Center’s short- and long-term goals.
Furthermore, “RICA is proud to contribute to this shared mission of building a resilient, self-sufficient seed sector. We remain committed to supporting these efforts, which are essential for improving seed systems, driving sustainable agricultural practices, and ensuring food security across Rwanda” – said Dr. Ron.
Photo: Dr. Ron Rosati, RICA Vice Chancellor, addresses Seed Industry delegates
Seed Industry facing significant challenges
As part of the roundtable discussions, the seed industry stakeholders identified and prioritized the most pressing challenges faced by the seed companies in the following order: access to parent seed, access to affordable financing, non-subsidized seeds, climate change hindering productivity, lack of private sector participation in research & development and land insufficiency.
Subsequently, the discussions yielded significant recommendations to empower the seed industry. The key takeaway was the need for increased private sector partnerships and investment, with a strong call for financial institutions to allocate more funds to seed-related ventures.
Photo: Seed industry representatives brainstorm solutions to industry challenges at a roundtable discussion.
Despite challenges, the seed industry is considered a key enabler of food security and strengthened food systems. In her remarks, the Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), Dr. Uwamahoro Florence, praised the role and the highly expected contribution of an empowered seed industry in helping achieve Rwanda’s fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5). The latter’s goals include: increasing productivity, improving market access, building resilience, creating jobs, improving food security, modernizing agriculture and strengthening food systems.
Dr. Uwamahoro reassured the seed industry that the Government of Rwanda remains committed to collaborating with One Acre Fund through the RICA Seed Center “in professionalizing agriculture and improving the skills of the sector players, in order to contribute to the ambitious PSTA 5 targets…”
RICA Seed Center: a key partner for seed industry
Designed to improve farmer resilience and farm productivity, the RICA Seed Centre makes it easier for Rwandan seed companies to effectively serve more farmers with better seed. It currently targets to enable seed companies to produce high-quality seeds to at least one million Rwandan farmers within five years.
Among achievements, RICA Seed Center supplied skilled personnel and expertise in the industry by graduating 16 students last year in Seed Technology & Business Professional Course, 7 in Seed Business Administration Short Course. It is also trialing 7 Crop species.
The Center was established in 2022 through a partnership among the Government of Rwanda, the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, One Acre Fund and the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture, marking a significant milestone in addressing the critical needs of farmers and the seed industry in Rwanda.
Photo: Dr. Uwamahoro Florence, RAB’s Deputy Director General, addresses Seed Industry delegates
Photo: Dr. Joseph Moughan, CEO of RICA Seed Center, addresses Seed Industry delegates
