Rwanda’s Agricultural Revolution Takes Root in Nyaruguru as Farmers Reap Benefits of Modern Collection Centers
Farmers in Ruheru Sector of Nyaruguru District have hailed agricultural collection centers, particularly those dedicated to irish potatoes, as a transformative initiative that is protecting harvests, improving market access, and boosting rural incomes.
Beneficiaries say the facilities have significantly reduced post-harvest losses while bringing essential agricultural services closer to farming communities.
The testimonies emerged on June 9, 2026, during the annual Partners and Councillors’ Week organized by Nyaruguru District in collaboration with JADF-Indashyikirwa.
The outreach program, held across different sectors of the district from June 8 to 12, provides a platform for district leaders, development partners, and residents to discuss development achievements, service delivery, and community priorities.
Among the success stories highlighted during the visit was the impact of agricultural collection centers that have become a lifeline for potato farmers in Ruheru Sector. Farmers say the facilities have helped them preserve the quality of their produce, access reliable markets, and increase their earnings.
Pastor Alfred Bizimungu, one of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the Government of Rwanda for introducing the initiative, noting that it has transformed agricultural productivity and reduced losses that previously affected farmers.
“We are grateful to the Government of Rwanda for establishing this program because our harvests no longer go to waste or get damaged before reaching the market. We also thank our development partners who continue to support us and ensure that the program succeeds,” He said.
Farmers further revealed that the collection centers have accelerated the adoption of modern agricultural practices and digital technologies. Many now use Electronic Billing Machines (EBM) to issue invoices, a development they say has improved transparency and strengthened their participation in formal markets.
Despite the progress, residents called for the expansion of collection centers to meet growing demand and further reduce post-harvest losses across the district.
Another farmer, Vianney Minani, said accessing quality potato seeds used to be a major challenge because farmers depended on suppliers from Musanze District, located hundreds of kilometers away. According to him, the establishment of local collection centers has eliminated many of those difficulties.
“In the past, obtaining seeds was difficult because they had to be transported from Ruhengeri (Musanze). Today, the collection centers have brought services closer to us, reducing costs and allowing us to invest our resources in other productive activities,” He explained.
Minani added that farmers now have access to quality and certified seeds, increasing confidence in future harvests and strengthening hopes for continued economic growth.
Speaking during the outreach program, Nyaruguru District Mayor Dr. Emmanuel Murwanashyaka reaffirmed the district’s commitment to supporting farmers through the expansion of collection centers and potato seed multiplication facilities.
He revealed that several seed production sites are being established across the district and that trained farmers are being supported with land and greenhouse infrastructure to increase the production of quality seeds.
“We are establishing seed multiplication facilities in different parts of the district. We provide trained farmers with land and support the construction of greenhouses so that they can produce enough quality seeds to meet demand and increase agricultural production,” He said.
The mayor added that the district will continue bringing seed multiplication services closer to communities to prevent shortages in both households and local markets.
Beyond crop production, Nyaruguru remains one of Rwanda’s leading tea-growing districts, with the sector providing employment opportunities to thousands of residents and contributing significantly to the local economy.
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The success of agricultural collection centers in Ruheru reflects Rwanda’s broader strategy of modernizing agriculture, strengthening food security, and improving the livelihoods of rural communities through targeted investments and strong partnerships between government institutions and development stakeholders.
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