Rwanda targets 50% uptake of hybrid maize seeds by 2030
The initiative is part of broader national strategies aiming to produce 874,337 tonnes of maize by 2029
RWANDA – Rwanda’s adoption of hybrid maize seeds is projected to rise significantly to 50% by 2030, up from the current 30%, as the country intensifies efforts to boost maize production and reduce dependency on seed imports.
According to Claver Ngaboyisonga, a maize genetics expert at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), the initiative is part of broader national strategies aiming to produce 874,337 tonnes of maize by 2029, up from 625,598 tonnes in 2024 and just 96,666 tonnes in 2006.
The country plans to distribute at least 7,906 tonnes of hybrid maize seeds in the coming years, following the release of new high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties by RAB.
These hybrids are crossbred to combine favorable traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved yields, offering a strategic tool to bolster food security.
The uptake of hybrid seeds is expected to accelerate as Rwanda continues to strengthen local seed production systems. Once reliant on importing over 3,000 tonnes of maize, wheat, and soybean seeds annually, Rwanda now produces these seeds domestically, reducing the burden on the national budget and increasing farmers’ access to inputs.
Ngaboyisonga highlighted that although national maize output has generally improved since 2008, a few setbacks, such as the 2015 slump due to poor weather and a maize lethal necrosis outbreak, underscore the urgency of adopting resilient hybrid varieties.
He noted that in 2017, access to hybrid maize varieties was below 10%, while certified seed usage was under 24%, pointing to notable growth potential.
Farmers, however, continue to face challenges, including delayed seed delivery, which often forces them to plant unsuitable varieties, leading to yield losses.
“We need seed multipliers closer to our farms to increase access,” urged Louis Nkundimana, a farmer from Rwamagana District.
Chantal Uwamahoro, a maize farmer from Gatsibo District, echoed similar frustrations, citing Iminyorogoto pests, a local term for soil-borne pests that have slashed yields by up to 85% over the past three years.
Experts like Abebe Menkir, a maize breeder-geneticist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), emphasize that hybrid maize is the fastest route to improved resilience. He stressed the importance of removing systemic barriers, including long certification processes, weak seed distribution networks, and lack of awareness about hybrid seed benefits.
“To scale adoption, Rwanda must select hybrids adapted to local soils and climates and stimulate investment in seed production and marketing,” Menkir advised. He also recommended leveraging regional seed harmonization protocols and empowering local SMEs to deliver competitive hybrid varieties.
Looking ahead, Rwanda is also considering genetically modified (GM) maize varieties as a defense against pests like the Fall Armyworm, further showcasing its commitment to modernizing agriculture through science and innovation.
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