Rwanda is poised to take rice production to a new level, thanks to a promising new variety. Known locally as “Keza“, this high-yielding variety, developed by researchers at the Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Council (RAB), is about to be officially launched after a rigorous testing phase. According to Florence Uwamahoro, Deputy General Manager of Agricultural Development at RAB, “Keza” has demonstrated remarkable performance, reaching 5 tonnes per hectare in its final trial phase. This figure far exceeds the average yield of currently grown varieties, such as Basmati 370, which tops out at between 2.5 and 3 tonnes per hectare.

A response to agricultural challenges

The Bugarama plain, known for its warm climate and wetlands favorable to rice cultivation, was chosen to test this new variety. Local farmers, faced with the declining productivity of traditional varieties, are delighted with this breakthrough.

The long-grain rice varieties we’ve been growing for years are becoming less and less resistant to climate change and disease,
laments Ernest Mfashingabo, a rice farmer in Muganza.

He stresses the urgent need to replace old varieties with more resilient and productive solutions. In response, the RAB breeding program has set itself the goal of developing rice varieties that are adapted to varied climatic conditions, resistant to pests, and capable of maintaining high yields.

Potential to attract investors

Paddy rice production in Rwanda is on the rise. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), it rose from 69,098 metric tons in the 2023 season to 72,834 metric tons in 2024. However, small-scale farmers, who still produce an average of 3.1 tonnes per hectare, could benefit more from improved varieties such as “Keza“. Seth Ntihemuka, a farmer in Bweramana, calls for investment to prepare more wetlands for rice cultivation. “Many marshes have been damaged by heavy rains. The government should prioritize access to high-quality rice varieties and improve agricultural infrastructure“, he pleads.

With “Keza“, Rwanda is positioning itself not only to meet the growing local demand for rice, but also to become a competitive player on the regional market. For investors, this new variety represents a strategic opportunity to support a rapidly expanding sector.

By releasing “Keza“, Rwanda is underlining its commitment to modern, resilient agriculture. Farmers, policy-makers and investors now have a unique opportunity to work together to sustainably transform the country’s rice production.