Agriculture ministry to give farmers improved seeds

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources is working on modalities to supply improved seed varieties to farmers in the country. Officials from the ministry and Syngenta, a company dealing in seed and pestcide production are meeting in Kigali, to deliberate on how to increase productivity through use of improved seed varieties. The two-day meeting was attended by the Minister for Agriculture, Dr. Agnes Kalibata, and Michel Damare, the chairperson of Syngenta. The discussion focused on smallholder farmers. It is part of the ministry’s plan to develop a business model for farming, according to a statement. Minister Kalibata highlighted the prospect of horticulture and its potential for private sector investment in the seed industry. “There is an opportunity for Rwanda to specialise in seed production since it does not require a lot of land and the climate is also favourable,” Kalibata said. Other issues discussed at the meeting include the removal of barriers and risks to investment in seeds, variety innovation, implementation of harmonised regional seed regulations, linking farmers to credit, markets, and insurance. Syngenta is known for supporting smallholder farmers through innovation, facilitation of access to quality inputs and linking smallholders to global markets. The company also insures Rwandan farmers against losses that may occur due to weather changes. Syngenta’s also has a five-year partnership with One Acre Fund (Tubura) for trial of new maize, bean and sikuma wiki varieties in Rwanda and Kenya.

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Agriculture ministry to give farmers improved seeds