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According to a 2009 Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) baseline study, adoption of improved varieties is relatively low (7%–13%) across Rwanda, where the informal seed sector dominates agriculture. Adoption has likely increased since this study was conducted, but it remains low across all crops in Rwanda, except for hybrid maize.
The Rwanda Agriculture Board is responsible for producing breeder and pre-basic seeds. For the main economic crops, such as maize, beans, rice, wheat, the Crop Intensification Program was introduced in 2007 to mobilize small farmers, using improved inputs (seeds and fertilizers), access to capacity building programs, and credits, while embracing land consolidated schemes for commercial production.
Although Rwanda depends on seed imports, the regulatory principles of the UPOV and Breeders’ Rights are quite new in Rwanda and were only recently introduced under newly introduced seed regulations. Intellectual property protection law governs intellectual property in Rwanda.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has officially launched the National Seed Association of Rwanda, bringing together seed traders, seed multipliers, agro-dealers and institutions that develop plant varieties and avail quality seed to farmers.
There are 13 index companies operating in Rwanda, though only seven conduct sales activities. Globally active Advanta has a testing location, while regional players East African Seed, Seed Co and Victoria Seeds report a wider range of activities.
All three regional companies have seed production locations and carry out extension services for smallholder farmers. Seed Co recently carried out successful first-year product evaluations for wheat, and it employs two technical staff for training. East African Seed (field crops and vegetables) and Victoria Seeds (field crops) both engage smallholder farmers in production, while the latter is the only company with a processing location.
None of the 13 companies breed in Rwanda.
| Company | Crops in portfolio | Company activities in country | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Companies selected for the Access to Seeds Index |
Field crops |
Vegetables | Breeding location |
Testing location |
Seed production |
Processing location |
Sales | Extension services |
||||||
| Advanta | ||||||||||||||
| Corteva Agriscience | ||||||||||||||
| East African Seed | * | |||||||||||||
| East-West Seed | ||||||||||||||
| Kenya Highland Seed | ||||||||||||||
| Kenya Seed Company | ||||||||||||||
| Pop Vriend Seeds | ||||||||||||||
| Rijk Zwaan | ||||||||||||||
| Sakata | ||||||||||||||
| Seed Co | ||||||||||||||
| Syngenta | ||||||||||||||
| Victoria Seeds | * | |||||||||||||
Other index companies are also active in the country. However, country-specific information for these companies is not available or was provided under a non-disclosure agreement.
Other companies identified in the regional landscaping study and their activities
| Company | Crops in portfolio | Company activities in country | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field crops |
Vegetable crops |
Breeding location |
Seed production |
Sales | ||||
| Tubura Seed | ||||||||
