The center, which will be located at Rubona Station in Huye District, is part of the Rwanda BioCap Project, a five-year program launched in partnership with the International Potato Center (CIP), other international research institutions, and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The project will build local capacity in crop biotechnology, enabling Rwandans to acquire knowledge on genetic modification of crops and related technologies, without adverse effects. The initiative will also allow Rwanda to produce, regulate, and distribute improved seeds suited to local needs, contributing to food self-sufficiency, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture.
State Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), Dr. Solange Uwituze, said the sector faces increasing challenges, including new pests and diseases affecting potatoes, sweet potatoes, and bananas, compounded by climate change. She emphasised that science-based approaches, such as this project, are essential for protecting crops and increasing yields.
'This project will establish a Centre of Excellence for Crop Biotechnology under RAB. It will help generate critical data on regulatory compliance, environmental impact, and food safety, while supporting trials, seed distribution, and farmer assistance programs,' Dr. Uwituze said.
Currently, Rwanda's agriculture sector accounts for 70% of crops exported abroad and meets 90% of domestic food demand. Approximately 1.4 million hectares of land are dedicated to agriculture, including 600,000 hectares consolidated under the expanded Food Basket Sites (FoBaSi) program, where the new technologies will also be implemented.
The initiative aligns with the government's Fifth Agricultural Transformation Program (PSTA5), a five-year strategy with a budget of $5.4 billion, aimed at increasing agricultural productivity by 50% and accelerating rural development.
The government has pledged to make improved seeds rapidly available to farmers, strengthening the country's capacity to achieve food security and sustainable farming.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-to-establish-centre-for-genetically-modified-crop-research
