Bugesera, Rwanda | 14 November 2025 – A landmark initiative is set to transform Rwanda’s agriculture. Key stakeholders have officially launched the Sustainable Agricultural Mechanization through Farmer Field Schools (SAM-FFS) for Smallholder Producers project.
This launch took place at the RICA campus in Bugesera. Partners include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Rwanda, the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). This joint program directly addresses the needs of smallholder farmers. It equips them with essential skills in climate-smart, business-oriented mechanization and Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices.
A Milestone Partnership for Rwanda’s Agricultural Transformation
The SAM-FFS initiative represents a milestone partnership. It brings together three leading institutions at the forefront of Rwanda’s agricultural transformation. Through this collaborative effort, FAO, RICA, and RAB are strengthening capacity across the entire agricultural mechanization ecosystem.
This ecosystem includes local producers, farmer facilitators, cooperatives, and repair service providers. The goal is to encourage the adoption of responsible mechanization practices. These methods enhance productivity while simultaneously preserving natural resources.
Dr. Nomathemba Mhalanga, FAO Rwanda Representative (a.i.), underscored the collective commitment. She highlighted the program’s focus on sustainable agricultural transformation. This includes advancing support for smallholder farmers through Farmer Field Schools.
“By joining hands with RICA and RAB, FAO Rwanda reaffirms its commitment to transforming smallholder agriculture,” stated Dr. Mhalanga. “This is achieved through innovation and collaboration. Together, we champion sustainable, climate-resilient mechanization. This empowers producers to increase productivity, protect natural resources, and secure a more prosperous future for rural communities.”
Equipping Facilitators: Two Weeks of Intensive Training at RICA
Before the wider rollout, thirty FFS facilitators underwent intensive training. These facilitators came from Gatsibo, Bugesera, and Kirehe districts. They successfully completed a two-week hands-on course at RICA.
This intensive program utilized the participatory Farmer Field School (FFS) model. Consequently, it fostered experiential learning. During the initial phase, FFS Facilitators acquired practical skills in sustainable agricultural mechanization (SAM) and Conservation Agriculture (CA). This included basic machinery operation and effective farmer-centered learning techniques. They also learned how to integrate these technical areas into locally adapted FFS curricula. This was done using core FFS principles and processes.
RICA’s Mandate: Enhancing Farmer Productivity
Dr. Olusegun Adedayo Yerokun, RICA’s Interim Vice Chancellor, highlighted the strategic significance. He emphasized the collaboration’s importance for farmer productivity.
“This collaboration underscores RICA’s mandate,” said Dr. Yerokun. “We aim to equip farmers with specialized knowledge, thereby enhancing their production capabilities. It is intrinsically linked to our Conservation Agriculture approach. This strategy demonstrably cultivates better soil health and yields greater productivity.”
The SAM-FFS learning curriculum prioritizes safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable machinery use. It shows how the right tools and practices can significantly boost smallholder productivity. Furthermore, it protects vital soil and water resources. This also ensures efficient utilization of farming inputs.
Integrating Enterprise Development for New Income Streams
An additional core component of the SAM-FFS program is enterprise development. The project specifically empowers FFS Facilitators. They gain the capacity to guide farmers in recognizing mechanization not just as a production tool, but also as a viable business opportunity.
This strategic focus aims to strengthen the local mechanization ecosystem and services. It also seeks to improve small-scale producers’ access to essential equipment. Ultimately, this will create new income streams for farmer cooperatives in rural communities.
The program directly addresses challenges faced by smallholder farmers. These include limited access to suitable mechanization services. Moreover, it tackles the lack of necessary technical skills for safe and effective machinery operation.
By equipping FFS facilitators with comprehensive skills and knowledge, the initiative targets multiple areas. These include sustainable agricultural mechanization (SAM), Conservation Agriculture (CA), and robust business models. Consequently, the program stimulates sustainable farming practices. It also fosters resilient and market-oriented rural livelihoods.
RAB’s Commitment: Community Engagement and Follow-up
Dr. Solange UWITUZE, RAB’s Acting Director General, reaffirmed RAB’s commitment. She highlighted the importance of community engagement for successful adoption. RAB will mobilize smallholder producers across target districts. They will also provide continuous technical backstopping and crucial post-training follow-up.
“Active engagement with grassroots communities is critical,” stated Dr. Solange. “It accelerates the adoption of sustainable agricultural mechanization and Conservation Agriculture. This approach enhances productivity and strengthens farmer resilience throughout Rwanda.”
She added that the project will promote modernization of crop production within the Food Basket Site (FoBaSi) model. This is because project pilots are part of consolidated sites nationwide.
Towards a Resilient Agri-Food System in Rwanda
By strengthening the technical and advisory capabilities of facilitators, the SAM-FFS program is set to achieve significant goals. It will accelerate the adoption of climate-smart mechanization solutions among Rwanda’s smallholder producers.
This initiative promises an era of enhanced agricultural productivity. It will also create youth employment and engagement in agriculture. Ultimately, the program promotes sustainability, contributing to building a truly resilient agri-food system in Rwanda.
