During a consultative meeting held in Nyamagabe District on February 20, 2026, farmers expressed concern that despite the district’s fertile land suitable for diverse crops, significant challenges continue to prevent them from achieving the desired productivity levels.
The meeting aimed to assess agricultural service delivery using a knowledge-based mapping tool and brought together farmers, district officials, government institutions, and development partners involved in agricultural transformation.
One of the most pressing issues raised was soil acidity. Farmers reported that while they are frequently told that soils across the district are acidic, testing is not conducted at the sector or individual farm level, even though soil composition varies significantly depending on location. Some sectors border the Nyungwe Forest National Park, where soil characteristics differ from other parts of the district.
“Samples are collected in one area, and the results are applied across the entire district. Yet sectors near the forest have different soil conditions. Farmers are asking for soil testing that reflects the reality of where they cultivate.” Noted Theodose Mbonigaba, a staff member of CCOAIB.
Ildephonse Mushimiyimana from Tare Sector added: “They tell us the soil is acidic, so we buy lime without knowing whether it is actually necessary. We are requesting soil testing to be done directly on our farms before recommendations are made.”
The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) acknowledged the concern, stating that more emphasis will be placed on soil testing before advising farmers on inputs. Nzabonimana Oreste, Head of the Agriculture Department in Nyamagabe District, confirmed that improvements are underway.
As part of efforts to boost production, the government introduced an expanded land consolidation program known as “Food Basket Sites” (FoBaSi). The initiative is designed to develop high-yield production zones where farmers receive capacity building, financial support, and timely access to agricultural inputs.
However, consultations conducted by CCOAIB in five sectorsMugano, Cyanika, Kamegeri, Buruhukiro, and Gatare revealed ongoing barriers affecting farmers’ productivity.
These discussions come as the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) aims to increase agricultural yields from 5 tons per hectare to 15 tons per hectare. Farmers argue that such targets are unrealistic without first resolving persistent issues related to soil health and access to inputs.
Pelagie Uwera from Nkomane Sector said:“There is a disease affecting beans that we cannot identify. Crops dry up or fail to yield properly.”
RAB explained that many pest infestations originate at the household level and recommended the use of pesticides such as Roket and other approved agricultural chemicals. However, farmers complain that these products are often expensive and not consistently available.
The government’s Smart Nkunganire program, which subsidizes fertilizers and improved seeds, is also facing criticism. Some farmers report that they receive subsidized inputs for only two planting seasons, despite cultivating three seasons annually.
Marc Iradukunda stated: “We receive fertilizer under one authorization, yet we farm three seasons. In Season C, we cultivate without fertilizer.” District authorities said they are engaging agro-dealers to ensure early availability of seeds and fertilizers and to improve system efficiency.
Thadee Habimana, the Deputy Mayor in charge of Economic Development, acknowledged existing challenges but emphasized that better information dissemination is also needed. “There are real issues, but some farmers lack sufficient information. We will work with various institutions to bring agricultural services closer to them.” He shared.
Irrigation remains another major obstacle. Nyamagabe is largely mountainous, making irrigation infrastructure difficult and costly. Daniel Habimana explained: “When rainfall fails, yields immediately decline. We do not have the financial capacity to install irrigation systems.”
Agricultural experts suggest that investing in water harvesting systems could provide a sustainable solution, particularly in high-altitude and steep terrain areas. Farmers also criticized poor management within some cooperatives, claiming that profits often remain with leaders rather than benefiting members.
On agricultural insurance, farmers say compensation after crop loss is often disproportionately low compared to their initial investment. Jeannette Umulisa remarked: “When crops are damaged, assessors give us very little compensation.”
As the government aims to sustain annual economic growth of 9.3 percent through 2029 with agriculture projected to grow by more than 6 percent annually experts argue that achieving these goals will require: Farm-level soil testing, timely and universal access to agricultural inputs, investment in irrigation for hilly areas, reform of cooperative management and insurance system, Consistent, data-driven implementation of FoBaSi.
The concerns raised by farmers in Nyamagabe reflect broader systemic challenges within Rwanda’s agricultural sector, including knowledge gaps and inefficiencies in service delivery, while NST2 seeks to triple agricultural productivity, farmers insist that meaningful change must begin at the farm level where soil is tested accurately, water is accessible, and inputs arrive on time.
