Nyaruguru District is among the regions in Rwanda with strong potential for potato farming, and district officials are calling on investors to support efforts to increase the production of quality potato seeds. This comes at a time when a significant gap remains between the seed quantities farmers need and what is currently produced locally. According to district statistics, farmers require 18,472 tons of potato seeds annually, while the district’s production capacity stands at only 2,148 tons. This leaves a deficit of 16,324 tons, equivalent to 88%, which authorities say can only be filled through sustainable private investment.
With over 9,236 hectares cultivated with potatoes each year, the crop contributes significantly to household incomes and the district’s economy. District leaders emphasize that investing in potato seed multiplication would improve crop yields, enhance seed quality, boost farmer productivity, and increase the value of potatoes processed in local industries.
Officials also highlight that strengthening this sector aligns with national development frameworks such as the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050, both of which prioritize modern, high-value, and resilient agricultural systems. Certified potato seed multipliers say they still face competition from illegal traders who sell uncertified seeds (commonly described as “fake seeds”), which affects market prices and can expose seed growers to financial losses. They are therefore calling on district authorities and development partners to buy seeds directly from accredited multipliers and expand Green House facilities, which protect seeds from pests and diseases.
Ntirisesa Ildephonse, a technician at Adenya in charge of potato seed multiplication, explains that Nyaruguru has proven to be a suitable zone for potato farming. He notes that previously, residents relied heavily on potatoes from northern Rwanda, but the district is now producing enough to supply other parts of the country.
“We used to consume potatoes brought from Musanze, but today we also produce surplus harvests for the market. We are multiplying seeds, but we still face challenges such as the limited number of Green Houses. We request the district to allocate unused land so that we can expand seed multiplication activities.” He spoke.
Dr. Emmanuel Murwanashyaka, the Mayor of Nyaruguru District, says producing quality potato seeds takes at least two years. For that reason, the district continues to work with partners who can help multiply more seeds due to the high market demand. He notes that the district aims to become self-sufficient in potato seeds by expanding Green House infrastructure and strengthening cooperatives so that seed multiplication can also take place in open fields supported by technology.
“We have partners who will help us upgrade and expand Green Houses. Since it takes a long time to produce high-quality potato seeds, we want to ensure self-sufficiency while also adopting modern technologies to increase seed production.” He explained.
Under NST2, Rwanda aims to modernize agriculture by achieving annual sector growth above 6%, more than 50% yield increases, irrigation expansion to 85%, increased use of improved seeds and fertilizers, and strengthened livestock production. Vision 2050 also prioritizes market-oriented agriculture, climate resilience, technological innovation, improved access to agricultural finance, and better integration into high-value global markets.
The potato seed multiplication initiative is designed as a Fully Private Model, where private investors lead production while collaborating with the district for land access, technical guidance, and market linkages. Authorities underscore that the market for potato seeds is strong and that Rwanda aims to significantly reduce reliance on imported seeds to achieve greater food self-sufficiency. Investors are therefore encouraged to tap into this high-demand sector, which officials say presents profitable opportunities with guaranteed market absorption.
