Innovating Rwanda's potato sector

Lessons learned from Agripool expertise through empowering Rwanda's potato farmers in a week-long training by Agriterra.

Written by Jean Claude Niyomugabo, Communication Consultant Agriterra Rwanda

In March Agriterra Rwanda conducted a week-long training for Farmer Potato Academy (FPA), Imbaraga Farmers Organization, EGSP, and SPF, alongside Sander Giesen, an Agripool expert from the Netherlands. The aims were to increase the knowledge of seed potato growers under the Acting Now project in Rwanda while equipping them with practical skills they can use in their daily field activities.

Through the training, potato farmers gained knowledge and skills regarding the agronomy of seed potato production, the knowledge and practical management of seed tuber health, and an understanding of the biotic factors affecting seed potatoes.

They also gained practical skills from land preparation up to post-harvest handling of seed potato production, good soil management practices, knowledge and skills contributing to the increase of seed potato production, and possible innovations and technologies that can be used by a low-level seed potato grower.

The event concluded with a workshop involving different institutions in the potato value chain in Rwanda, such as the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resource Development Board, INES-Ruhengeri, Horizon SOPYRWA, Winnaz, and HoReCo. They discussed the challenges and findings of the week and proposed recommendations aimed at knowing the future interventions of Agriterra in the development of the Potato sector in Rwanda.

Watch some some footage of  Agripool expert Sander Giesen: