The government of Rwanda will plant a total of 240,000 avocado seedlings on 800 hectares and 60,000 mango seedlings on 200 hectares over the next four years as part of the efforts aimed at boosting horticultural exports, the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB) has said. The expansion of avocados will involve the plantation of grafted seedlings across five districts: Rusizi in the Western Province, Huye and Nyanza in the Southern Province, and Rwamagana and Bugesera in the Eastern Province. Grafting is a horticultural technique used to join parts from two or more plants so that they appear to grow as a single plant. This is said to improve the horticultural traits of plants. Mango seedlings, on the other hand, will be planted on 200 hectares in Rusizi in the Western Province and Bugesera in the Eastern Province, government officials told The New Times. The government also plans to expand production of macadamia crop, with NAEB revealing that 102,000 seedlings will be planted over 100 hectares in Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rusizi, Rutsiro, and Rwamagana districts. ALSO READ: What $140m investment could do in Rwanda’s avocado value chain? The plan to increase farmland for key crops is part of the broader agenda by Rwanda to expand production of key crops, particularly high-value horticultural commodities, specifically mango, avocado, and macadamia. Officials at NAEB say the aim is to improve both the scale and productivity of these crops, positioning Rwanda as a more competitive player in global horticultural markets. Emerging commodities Division Manager at NAEB, Jean Bosco Mulindi, said that these horticultural initiatives have the goals of increasing agricultural exports while improving the livelihood of smallholder farmers. “By focusing on the expansion of high-demand crops like mango, avocado, and patchouli, NAEB continues to drive the growth of Rwanda’s horticulture sector and contribute to the overall development of the country’s agro-export economy,” he said. Mulindi highlighted that the horticultural transformation initiative, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to enhance farmers' productivity and income while generating valuable job opportunities. A key component of this initiative involves the ongoing production of avocado and mango seedlings, driven by a community-based approach that engages youth and women's groups. This effort is expected to significantly improve living standards for participants and their families. ALSO READ: Persistent pests trigger mango shortage in markets Farmers speak out Jean Paul Nkengabo, an avocado farmer in Gakenke, believes that while increasing plantations is good, production won’t necessarily improve to desirable levels without government intervention. “One such intervention would be to have structured pricing in which farmers sell their produce at fair price. The current price of avocado (Rwf75) is not aligned with the reality,” he said. Celestin Gasigi, a macadamia farmer from Ngoma district, indicated that while intensive farming is essential, it requires reliable access to fertilisers and quality soil. He highlighted a significant issue: the absence of fixed pricing, which leads to buyers setting their own prices. Recently, the price of macadamia reached Rwf1,200 for a kilogramme. Despite the challenges, he noted that crops remain productive even if they are harvested later, emphasising the need for assistance in establishing stable pricing structures. Pascal Mushimire, a mango farmer from Ruhango district, previously faced pest challenges with his mango trees and decided to sell them all to start from scratch. He believes that expanding plantations is a beneficial strategy, saying it could lead to improved production. Mushimire suggested that the planned expansion should focus on incorporating high-yield varieties.
