The appointment of Telesphore Ndabamenye as Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Solange Uwituze as Minister of State in the same ministry on December 1, 2025, could mark a turning point for agriculture. ALSO READ: Kagame makes new ministerial appointments The two seasoned technocrats leading the ministry combine extensive technical expertise with decades of proven leadership in the sector, both having headed the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). Ndabamenye brings over 25 years of experience, including his previous tenure as Director General of RAB and as Africa Regional Platform Manager for the World Economic Forum’s Food Action Alliance. His background in soil science, crop production, and food security positions him to steer the sector toward intensification, climate resilience, and increased productivity. He replaces Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, who has experience in agricultural research, policy and quality management. Before his latest appointment, Ndabamenye had served as the Minister of State in the same ministry, a position he took over in July after heading RAB since 2023. ALSO READ: What to know about Solange Uwituze, the new State Minister for Agriculture Uwituze complements this expertise with 19 years in higher agricultural education and leadership in livestock research and technology transfer. Having served as Ndabamenye's deputy at RAB, Uwituze took over as the acting Director General of the same institution when he left for the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources. She has previously overseen multilateral projects under Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture and the University of Rwanda, strengthening both capacity and commercialization pathways for agriculture and livestock. According to Alexandre Rutikanga, Chief Technical Advisor at the Ministry, Ndabamenye and Uwituze bring complementary skills that directly address Rwanda’s agricultural challenges. “Minister Ndabamenye knows interventions and timing for maximized production per hectare, while Uwituze has extensive experience in livestock systems. Together, they will provide co-creation leadership with partners, farmers, and donors to accelerate the Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5) without delay,” Rutikanga told The New Times. ALSO READ: How Rwanda's 2018-24 strategic agriculture transformation plan fared Rwanda’s agricultural sector has witnessed focused efforts on crop intensification, improved seeds, and food security. The adoption of improved seeds, though modest at 18 percent overall in 2025 Season B, shows differences between small-scale farmers at 16.7 percent and large-scale farmers at 72.1 percent. Organic fertilizer usage is 80.8 percent, while inorganic fertilizer is applied by 55.5 percent of all farmers. Pesticide application stands at 36.6 percent, with Rocket, Dithane, and Cypermethrin being the most commonly used products. These measures align with PSTA 5, launched in December 2024, which runs until 2029, with five key pillars: modernization of production, inclusive markets and post-harvest management, strengthening enablers, climate resilience, and food security. The strategy aims to boost both productivity and sustainability. ALSO READ: New strategy targets over 800,000 youth jobs in agrifood systems Jeanine Uwanyirigira, a lecturer in Irrigation and Drainage at the University of Rwanda, emphasized the importance of focusing on land consolidation, irrigation, and soil conservation. “If these interventions are executed well, productivity per hectare can increase significantly. Minister Ndabamenye’s experience at RAB ensures that interventions are practical and evidence-based, while coordination with partners is already strong,” Uwanyirigira said. ALSO READ: Inside multi-billion projects driving Rwanda’s irrigation expansion Rose Niyonkuru, a researcher in soil and water engineering, highlighted the need for climate-resilient practices. These leaders understand the gaps in our agriculture, Niyonkuru said. Seasonal variability currently limits production. So, investments in resilient seeds, irrigation, and research will allow multiple cropping seasons, ultimately mitigating climate risks. Agriculture’s contribution and economic significance Rwanda’s agriculture sector remains a key driver of the economy, employing about 70 percent of the population and contributing 27 percent to GDP. According to recent statistics from the National Institute of Statistics Rwanda, in 2024/2025, the sector grew by 3.9 percent, reflecting modest food crop harvests but significant gains in export crops at 10.9 percent, livestock at 12.5 percent, and fisheries at 13 percent. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s fish production increases to 43,000 tonnes Export earnings from agriculture increased from $465 million in 2018/19 to $893 million in 2024/25 and are projected to reach $1.5 billion by 2029. The government aims to increase exports by 13% annually and double total export revenues to $7.3 billion by 2029. Coffee, tea, vegetables, fruits, and flowers dominate exports, with nearly half of Rwanda’s exports now rooted in agriculture. Statistics show that the investment in the sector has risen steadily, with the agriculture budget increasing from Rwf129 billion in 2017 to over Rwf225 billion in 2025/26 or a 75% increase over eight years. PSTA 5 emphasizes transforming agriculture into a professional and market-oriented sector. ALSO READ: PSTA5: GAIN Chief lauds govt, pledges more support The ministry will also focus on key strategies including linking farmers to lucrative markets, reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening value chains, and promoting mechanization and climate-smart practices. The plan allocates Rwf6,6 billion over five years, with 44.2% expected from private sector investments. By 2028/29, fully funded projections suggest agricultural GDP growth could surpass 6.1%, agricultural exports may exceed $1.5 billion, and significant contributions to reducing undernourishment are expected. ALSO READ: Agricultural output set to increase by 10% in 2025: What will drive growth? With nearly 1.4 million hectares under agriculture, Rwanda is pushing for intensified use of arable land, consolidation of small farms, and expansion of modern commercial agriculture. These measures, combined with technological innovation and enhanced market linkages, are designed to create off-farm jobs, increase income, and improve food security. Innovation, job creation, and food security PSTA 5 adopts a holistic agri-food systems approach, linking production, processing, and markets to ensure resilient and sustainable food systems. By enabling farmers to access finance, technology, and extension services, the plan fosters entrepreneurship, especially among women and youth. Close to 400,000 people are employed in the sector, which continues to drive social transformation, reduce poverty from 39.8 percent in 2017 to 27.4 percent in 2024, and empower women economically. ALSO READ: New initiative to empower women farmers, boost food security The focus on emerging exports, commercial value chains, and climate-smart agriculture represents a strategic pivot. The ministry also highlights that investment in irrigation, mechanization, seed multiplication, and livestock management are expected to generate significant returns, improve productivity, and position Rwanda as a regional hub for high-value agricultural products.
