RwaSIS: Transforming Rwanda’s Soil Health and Crop Yields with Precision Technology

In a transformative step toward enhancing Rwanda’s agricultural productivity, the Rwanda Soil Information Service (RwaSIS) was officially launched on November 29, 2024. This innovative project, a collaboration between the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and the Excellence in Agronomy (EiA) initiative under International Potato Center (CIP), is set to revolutionize the country’s farming practices. With substantial funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, RwaSIS aims to tackle pressing challenges in the agricultural sector, such as inefficient fertilizer use and the underutilization of Rwanda’s diverse agro-ecological conditions.

RwaSIS provides farmers with data-driven, personalized fertilizer recommendations and detailed soil nutrient maps, empowering them to make informed decisions that improve soil health and crop yields. By leveraging advanced technology and research, this platform supports more sustainable farming practices while enhancing food security across the nation. With its potential to transform agricultural practices, RwaSIS represents a key milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to boost agricultural productivity and ensure long-term sustainability in the sector.

In his opening remarks, Hon. Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), unveiled that RwaSIS’s initiative marks a transformative step in addressing the country’s long-standing agricultural challenges. Farmers have grappled with depleted soils, suboptimal crop productivity, and inefficient fertilizer use due to generalized recommendations that failed to consider diverse soil needs.

He emphasized that the platform optimizes fertilizer use, boosting yields while preserving soil health and minimizing environmental risks. RwaSIS, developed in collaboration with the Rwanda Space Agency and partners like IITA, CIP, and RAB, leverages years of rigorous research, soil sampling, and fertilizer trials. The system generates detailed soil nutrient maps and provides site-specific fertilizer recommendations for key crops, including maize, beans, cassava, rice, and potatoes. A standout feature of RwaSIS is its accessibility.

He said, “This initiative not only reflects our shared commitment to advancing agriculture but also highlights the power of collaboration to overcome challenges and drive meaningful progress for our farmers. For many years, our farmers have faced the pressing challenge of depleted soils, which has hindered crop productivity, and insufficient use of seeds and fertilizers. Meaning that we have been applying blanket recommendations without taking into consideration the specific needs for a particular soil and particular crop.”

Through structured supplementary service data, USSD system, even smallholder farmers without smartphones can access crucial information directly on basic mobile phones. This ensures inclusivity and empowers farmers with actionable insights tailored to their specific soil conditions and crop requirements.

Dr. Bagabe highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts in achieving this milestone, noting that the platform stems from years of work predating 2016. Earlier attempts faced technological limitations, but advancements have now enabled conclusive results. He acknowledged that previous blanket fertilizer recommendations often resulted in inefficient practices, such as overloading potassium in soils that were not deficient.

He called for the widespread adoption and integration of RwaSIS into national policies, stressing the need for ongoing collaboration and farmer feedback to refine the platform further. He urged farmers, as the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, to embrace this innovation to drive productivity and sustainability.

“We know that the journey does not end here. The success of RwaSIS depends on scaling. These innovations integrated them into national policies and ensured widespread adoption, among others. In MINAGRI and the agencies, we always use these simple statements. We consolidate our efforts, we scale, and we create impact,” said Minister Bagabe.

He concluded by describing the launch as a turning point, heralding a future defined by innovation, inclusivity, and resilience in Rwanda’s agricultural sector. The RwaSIS platform promises to transform Rwanda’s agriculture, empowering farmers with tools to achieve prosperity while safeguarding the environment.

Dr. Telesphore NDABAMENYE, Director General of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), highlighted the transformative potential of the Rwanda Soil Information Service (RwaSIS) and Fertilizer Recommendations for selected crops during the launch. These initiatives aim to modernize agriculture by enhancing food security, improving soil health, and promoting sustainable practices through science-driven solutions.

He emphasized that RwaSIS introduces a comprehensive soil reformation system providing precise, data-driven insights into soil fertility and health. He stressed the importance of “feeding the soil to feed the people,” enabling targeted recommendations for diverse crops like cassava, maize, beans, and potatoes. The fertilizer recommendations, developed through extensive research and 3D trials, are tailored to Rwanda’s unique agroecological zones, empowering farmers with site-specific guidance to boost productivity while conserving the environment.

He said, “This is what RwaSIS has been achieving so far: a comprehensive soil reformation system designed to provide precise data-driven insights into the fertility and health of our soils. In our food system journey, we have first of all to feed our soils to be able to feed our people. So, that is one way to go.”

Acknowledging the dynamic nature of soil fertility, Dr. NDABAMENYE assured continuous refinement of the RwaSIS platform as more data is collected to adapt to changing climatic and agricultural conditions. He stressed the importance of scaling these innovations and integrating them into Rwanda’s broader agricultural policies.

“By incorporating advanced data in our decision-making, we can ensure that our farmers receive tailored services that improve crop yields while preserving the environment,” he stated.

He extended gratitude to farmers, researchers, and partners for their contributions to this milestone, calling for widespread adoption of these innovations to advance Rwanda’s agricultural transformation. He concluded with a hopeful vision for a resilient, food-secure future powered by collaboration and science-based solutions.

Athanase Rusanganwa Cyamweshi, Soil Health and Crop Nutrition Researcher at RAB, the RwaSIS’s project coordinator, highlighting the journey of RwaSIS project towards solving agricultural production constraints in Rwanda, revealed that it has made significant strides in addressing key agricultural challenges in Rwanda. Agriculture remains the backbone of the country’s economy, contributing 27% to the GDP. Despite the Ministry of Agriculture’s 2007 Crop Intensification Program which improved crop yields, significant gaps persist between actual and potential yields due to various soil-related issues.

Key constraints include severe soil erosion, widespread soil acidity affecting 80% of the land, and critical nutrient depletion, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). Decades-old soil maps and outdated fertilizer recommendations have further hindered efforts to maximize productivity.

He said, “We now have updated soil nutrient maps, which is a novelty in this region if you compare with what is happening in our neighboring countries. We are in a country of a thousand hills where our land is susceptible to soil erosion.”

Dr. Cyamweshi stated that RwaSIS project, initiated in 2019 and operational since 2021, has tackled these challenges head-on. Nationwide soil sampling and laboratory analysis have yielded updated soil nutrient maps—an unprecedented achievement in the region. Additionally, collaboration with the Rwanda Water Board has produced erosion risk maps and identified effective control measures for sustainable farming on Rwanda’s hilly terrain.

He continued that field trials have been conducted to assess crop responses to fertilizers and lime, resulting in new fertilizer recommendations for crops such as potatoes, rice, maize, and beans. These recommendations are undergoing validation and will soon be available to farmers and stakeholders. The updated soil information and tailored interventions mark a transformative step toward closing yield gaps, enhancing soil health, and ensuring food security in Rwanda.

Faustin Munyakayanza, a potato farmer from Nyamagabe District, Southern Province, shared his experience hosting RAB’s validation trials. He explained that prior to soil testing by RAB, he only used NPK fertilizer for planting.

However, after implementing RAB’s recommendations, including a combination of NPK, DAP, and urea, his potato yield increased from 20 to 30 tons per hectare. This success underscores the positive impact of RAB’s tailored agricultural interventions on farming productivity.