The AG 431 seed was officially launched on February 5, 2026, in the districts of Gatsibo and Nyagatare.
Research conducted by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) shows that the AG 431 maize variety is well adapted to climate variability, performing reliably under different weather conditions.
The seed was selected from four maize varieties that underwent field trials in 2025 and was later approved by the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA) for commercial use.
Farmers from Gatsibo and Nyagatare were among the first to be introduced to the new variety, which is currently being multiplied on 60 hectares in the Southern Province. Early adopters say the seed produces nearly double the yield compared to traditional maize varieties.
Haruna Muvunyi, a farmer from Kanyangese Cell in Rugarama Sector, Gatsibo District, said he planted the maize seed to test its performance and was impressed by the results.
'Considering that this is a new seed, on five acres of land you would normally not harvest more than 50 kilograms. But with this new variety, the yield is double that,' he said.
Muvunyi encouraged other farmers to adopt the seed due to its high productivity.
Djonga Mnyaradzi, Seed Production Manager at AATF, said the AG 431 maize variety is tolerant to both drought and excessive rainfall. He noted that it performs particularly well during dry seasons and yields even better when soil moisture is adequate.
'When rainfall is sufficient or well distributed, the yields are very high. This gives farmers confidence even in the face of climate change, whether it brings heavy rainfall or prolonged dry spells,' he explained.
The RAB Director for Nyagatare and Gatsibo districts, Kayumba John, said all maize seed grown in the country is locally multiplied and urged farmers to use certified seeds for market-oriented farming.
'The advantage of this new seed is that farmers are involved from the beginning. Whenever a new seed is released, we invite them to see and compare it with what they have been using. This removes doubts about quality,' he said, adding that the new variety contributes to national food self-sufficiency.
Currently, Rwanda has about 30 seed multiplication entities, including private seed companies and farmers' cooperatives. Agriculture officials note that while all improved seeds used in Rwanda are locally produced, adoption among farmers remains below 60 percent.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/rwanda-launches-new-climate-resilient-maize-seed-variety
