Boosting Prosperity in Northern Province: The Rise of Coffee and Avocado Farming

Discover how coffee and avocado farming is transforming Northern Province’s economy. Governor Maurice advocates for farmer support, market access, and new trade agreements to enhance livelihoods and promote sustainable agricultural growth.

By Libos NDAYISHIMIYE

The Northern Province administration is urging farmers across its districts to invest more efforts in cultivating high-value crops, particularly coffee and avocado, highlighting them as key drivers of socio-economic transformation and national development.

During a press conference held on November 28, 2025, the Governor of the Northern Province, Mugabowagahunde Maurice, emphasized the region’s commitment to supporting farmers through access to idle land and partnerships with investors to ensure reliable markets and increased value for their produce.

He stated: “We have land that remains unutilized, yet we also have farmers who are eager to work. Our plan is to officially lease this land to committed farmers and link them with investors who can support market access and value addition. This benefits both the farmers and the country.”

Farmers who have already embraced this initiative say it has started to change their lives, giving them the motivation to expand. Ngirabakunzi Innocent, a coffee farmer from Gakenke District, shared: “I’ve been growing coffee for seven years on a small piece of land. Once I realized there was a strong market and support from the government, I decided to expand. Coffee has enabled me to pay school fees and save. What we need now is access to quality seedlings and continuous support.”

Similarly, Gatera Silas, an avocado farmer from Musanze District, said: “Avocado farming changed my life. I started with 20 trees and now have over 100. The market is rewarding. I plan to expand even further, but I hope smallholder farmers like us can get connected to international buyers.”

Governor Mugabowagahunde called on local leaders and development partners to work closely with farmers, providing them with modern skills and equipment to ensure farming becomes more professional and market-oriented.

He concluded by assuring that the province will continue to walk alongside farmers to ensure that coffee and avocado farming becomes a reliable source of income, helping communities achieve food security and long-term economic resilience.

Coffee and Avocado as Pillars of Rwanda’s Economic Growth and Gateway to Global Markets

Cash crops like coffee and avocado continue to play a vital role in Rwanda’s economic development and in improving the livelihoods of its citizens. Among these, coffee stands out not only as a major export but also as a crop with proven health benefits. In the fiscal year 2023/2024, Rwanda earned $78.71 million from coffee exports, underscoring its importance as one of the country’s top foreign exchange earners.

Northern Province its economic value.

In a strategic move to expand agricultural exports, on November 12, 2025, Rwanda signed a new trade agreement with China that will allow the export of avocados to Chinese markets.

The agreement was signed by Rwanda’s Ambassador to China, James Kimonyo, and is expected to boost access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets, home to over 1.4 billion people.

According to the Rwandan Embassy in China, this partnership will create opportunities for Rwandan avocado farmers with high-quality produce to tap into this massive market, thereby expanding Rwanda’s agricultural export portfolio.

This development highlights Rwanda’s growing footprint in global trade and reaffirms the government’s commitment to promoting professional agriculture as a sustainable path to economic transformation.

As coffee and avocado gain momentum in international markets, they are becoming powerful tools for economic empowerment and rural development across the country.