Rwanda’s soybean production set to surge by 46% with new high-yielding varieties

RWANDA – Rwanda’s soybean production is set to surge by more than 46% from 36,220 tonnes in 2024 to 53,019 tonnes in the fiscal year 2026/27, according to the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB).

The ambitious growth target is driven by the introduction of five new soybean varieties aimed at boosting yields and enhancing the country’s self-sufficiency in soybean-based products.

Florence Uwamahoro, Deputy Director General in charge of agriculture development at RAB has revealed that the new varieties have undergone extensive evaluations and are set to be released soon.

“Currently, RAB has eight varieties in dissemination that were released in 2021. The five new varieties will further improve production through targeted dissemination and awareness campaigns,” she stated.

To achieve this target, RAB plans to work closely with stakeholders across the soybean value chain, including seed multipliers, processors, and off-takers. Dissemination efforts will also involve the establishment of demonstration plots nationwide to educate farmers on best practices for cultivating the new varieties.

According to Uwamahoro, the newly introduced soybean varieties are tailored for growth in low and mid-latitude regions, covering all districts in the Eastern Province, Rusizi and Nyamasheke along the Kivu belt, and most parts of the Southern Province—excluding high-altitude areas in Muhanga, Nyamagabe, and Nyaruguru.

The new varieties will also be suitable for some parts of Gakenke and Rulindo as trials for the varieties have already been conducted across various agro-ecological zones at RAB stations in Rubona, Ngoma, and Nyagatare.

RAB emphasizes the importance of high-yielding, pest and disease-resistant, and early-maturing soybean varieties with high protein and oil content. These traits are crucial in meeting growing market demands while mitigating the effects of unpredictable weather patterns that have affected past harvests.

Rising demand for soybean

The push for increased soybean production comes at a time when Rwanda is looking to reduce its dependence on imported cooking oil, which reached 126,002 metric tonnes in 2023, up from 121,981 metric tonnes in 2019.

With domestic soybean production averaging 80,000 metric tonnes annually, the country remains a net importer of cooking oil and soybean-based products.

“Soybean is increasingly in demand for infant food production, animal feed, and cooking oil. The government is focused on reducing the import bill through increased local production and value addition,” Uwamahoro noted.

Animal feed remains another key concern, as fluctuating prices and high import costs impact the livestock sector, particularly poultry, pigs, and fish farming. Increased soybean production is expected to support the animal feed industry, stabilizing prices and improving availability.

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