Acting Now Rwanda: Farmer Organisations Ready to Sustain Programme Gains
Acting Now Rwanda has come to a close, marking significant progress in strengthening 12 farmer organisations across five agricultural value chains. From training 861 lead farmers and extension officers to establishing nine new businesses, the programme has laid a foundation for stronger cooperative services, improved market access and more resilient food systems.
Kigali, Rwanda | 25 September 2026
Farmer organisations in Rwanda are better equipped to strengthen agricultural services, improve market access and build resilient food systems following the close of Agriterra’s Acting Now programme. The programme’s achievements were celebrated in Kigali in September 2026, bringing together farmer organisations, government representatives, buyers and development partners to reflect on progress and explore ways to sustain the gains made.
Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Acting Now was launched in response to disruptions to food systems, including rising agricultural input costs following the war in Ukraine. The programme aimed to strengthen the capacity of farmer organisations to respond to these challenges while improving food security and supporting farmers' livelihoods.
During the closing event, Stijn, Agriterra’s Regional Manager for East Africa, reflected on the circumstances that led to the programme's establishment and acknowledged the commitment of farmer organisations and partners in translating its objectives into tangible results.
Strengthening Farmer Organisations and Agricultural Services
In Rwanda, Agriterra worked with 12 farmer organisations across five value chains: potato, maize, rice, cassava and horticulture. Through capacity development, access to quality agricultural inputs and strengthened cooperative services, the programme supported farmers to improve production, manage harvests and connect to markets.
A documentary screened during the event brought these achievements to life through farmers' own experiences, highlighting how the support received had translated into practical improvements in their agricultural activities and livelihoods.
The programme's reach and results are reflected in the following figures:
- 30,110 farmers represented by participating farmer organisations, including 12,000 women and 4,799 young people.
- 861 lead farmers and extension officers trained to strengthen agricultural knowledge and advisory services.
- 15,814 members reached through knowledge-sharing and farmer extension activities.
- 9 new businesses established by farmer organisations to improve access to essential agricultural services.
- €64,951 contributed by farmer organisations towards a total investment of €356,283, supporting the development of these businesses.
The businesses established include agro-input shops and services for transportation, drying and storage, helping farmer organisations address critical gaps in agricultural service delivery while creating opportunities for more sustainable income generation.
Building ownership and lasting partnerships
The closing event also provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the importance of farmer ownership in sustaining progress beyond the programme's implementation period.
Speaking on behalf of farmer organisations, François Mbabazi of INGABO Syndicate welcomed Agriterra's contribution to strengthening cooperative governance and financial management. He emphasised that lasting progress begins when farmers identify their own challenges and actively participate in developing solutions.
Egide Mbabazi, representing Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, recognised Agriterra's contribution to the country's agricultural sector. He encouraged continued collaboration with government institutions in advancing national agricultural priorities, including the Food Basket Sites initiative.
A representative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands congratulated Agriterra and its partners on the programme's achievements. The representative also highlighted the Dutch Diamond Partnerships programme as a potential avenue for future collaboration, while clarifying that Rwanda is not currently among its target countries.
Looking ahead: Sustaining the gains
As Acting Now comes to a close, attention now turns to how cooperatives can maintain and build on the progress achieved. Discussions during the event highlighted the need to sustain agricultural extension services, maintain cooperative facilities and strengthen relationships between farmers and buyers.
These priorities will be essential in ensuring that the systems, businesses and capacities developed through the programme continue to serve farmers beyond its implementation period.
For Agriterra, the programme's conclusion represents more than the completion of a project. It reflects the progress that farmer organisations can make when equipped with the right knowledge, resources, partnerships and opportunities to take ownership of their development.
By strengthening cooperatives and the services they provide, Acting Now has contributed to laying a foundation for more productive, inclusive and resilient agricultural systems in Rwanda.
.png)
.png)
