The uptake of hybrid maize seeds among farmers is set to increase considerably by 2030, with Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) releasing more high-performing and climate-resilient varieties to boost maize production, according to an expert. ALSO READ: Joint venture seeks to trim maize seed imports by 40% According to Claver Ngaboyisonga, a researcher specialising in maize genetics and crop improvement at RAB, in general, national maize production has grown from 96,666 tonnes in 2006 to 625,598 tonnes in 2024. the country aims to produce 874,337 tonnes of the crop in 2029. The is that at least 7,906 tonnes of hybrid maize seeds will be produced and distributed to farmers. ALSO READ: Over 2,000 tonnes of maize seeds set for distribution The adoption of locally produced hybrid maize seeds is currently estimated at 30 per cent but according to Ngaboyisonga, this is set to increase to 50% by 2030. Hybrid maize seeds are the result of crossbreeding two distinct parent maize plants to produce seeds with desirable traits such as higher yields, disease and pest resistance as well as better drought tolerance. Rwanda used to import over 3,000 tonnes of maize, wheat, and soybean every year but all this is now being produced in the country. “The maize cropping systems have experienced unprecedented development since 2008. Production has generally increased, except in 2015, when there was a dramatic decrease likely due to poor weather and an outbreak of maize lethal necrosis,” Ngaboyisonga said. ALSO READ: 10 things to know about Rwanda's new seed strategy “More importantly, this progress has motivated farmers to use hybrid maize varieties and certified seed, although access remained below 10 per cent for hybrid varieties and under 24 per cent for certified seed in 2017,” he noted. Sometimes seeds delay and this leads to planting those that are not suitable to the soil.As a result, farmers count losses. We need seed multipliers close to our farms to increase access to the seeds, said Louis Nkundimana, a farmer from Rwamagana District. ALSO READ: Agric ministry rolls out plan to eliminate fake seeds by 2030 According to Abebe Menkir, a maize breeder-geneticist at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), hybrid maize seeds offer a faster route to improving disease and pest resistance, striga (parasitic weed) resistance, tolerance to drought and heat stress, nutrient use efficiency, nutritional and end-use quality, and overall productivity. However, several factors continue to influence farmers' uptake of hybrid maize seeds. These include absence of a strong formal seed system, providing inadequate seed supply, access to credit, poor distribution channels, limited awareness of hybrid seed, low yielding hybrids that are not profitable to farmers and price farmers cannot pay. Menkir said there is a need for shortening the complex certification processes to introduce new hybrids. He also stressed the need to streamline complex certification processes to speed up the introduction of new hybrids. Opportunities for increased adoption He emphasized the importance of leveraging existing regional seed harmonization protocols and registering hybrids in the regional seed catalogue for marketing purposes. According to him, hiring skilled breeders and agronomists, selecting superior hybrids, ensuring efficient hybrid seed production, meeting breeder and basic seed requirements, and forecasting demand for consistent seed supply, will increase adoption of hybrid maize seeds. Also important, he said, is producing high-quality early-generation seed at a commercial scale to support the production of certified seed. “We must select hybrids that are adapted to local climatic conditions and soil, as well as those that are drought-resistant, disease-resistant, and tolerant to fall army worm,” he added, highlighting the importance of stimulating investment in seed production and marketing, and empowering local SMEs with competitive hybrid maize varieties. Rwanda is also considering the adoption of genetically modified maize crop varieties to cope with the devastating pests such as Fall Army worm. Chantal Uwamahoro, a maize farmer from Kiramuruzi Sector, Gatsibo District, said that farmers in her area have been bothered by pests called Iminyorogoto over the past three years, which drastically reduced maize production. To increase maize production, we need maize seed varieties that can resist such soil-borne pests. They reduce yields by up to 85%. In one case, in an area where a farmer could harvest 40 tonnes, the production decreased to five tonnes. We are still suffering due to the losses, she said.
