After completing a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Albert Nkundabagenzi enrolled in a six-month course at the Songhaï Centre of Excellence, an integrated agroecological farm, training and development institution based in Porto-Novo, Benin. Designated by the United Nations as a Regional Centre of Excellence for agriculture, Songhaï promotes sustainable agricultural development through a model that is organic, zero-waste and circular. It integrates crop production, livestock, aquaculture, renewable energy such as biogas and solar power and the recycling of organic waste back into the production system. ALSO READ: Why Rwanda seeks to increase organic fertiliser production Inspired by this model, Nkundabagenzi returned to Rwanda and acquired land in Ngoma District to practise organic agriculture. He later established Ferme du Lac in Rulenge Sector, where he runs an integrated organic farming system that combines crop production with multiple complementary activities. The farm began operations in 2015 and currently covers two hectares. “Regarding maize, in 2018 we harvested about 900 kilogrammes on a quarter of a hectare,” Nkundabagenzi said. “In 2024, we harvested about 1.5 tonnes in the same area. For cabbages, in 2018 each cabbage weighed about one kilogramme, but now each one weighs between 2.5 and 3 kilogrammes.” ALSO READ: Is organic farming more profitable than ordinary practises? He attributed the gains to improved soil health resulting from consistent use of organic fertilisers and other organic inputs. “Our organic farming mainly focuses on food crops, but the bigger goal is to improve farmers’ wellbeing and ensure sustainable production over time,” he said. The farm integrates crop production with beekeeping, livestock such as cows, pigs, ducks, chickens and fish farming. Each activity supports the others, creating a closed-loop system that minimises waste and reliance on external inputs. Crop residues are used as animal feed, while animal waste is converted into organic fertiliser. Nutrient-rich water from fish ponds is reused for irrigation. “We use about 1.5 tonnes of organic fertiliser per quarter of a hectare,” he explained. “We try to ensure that nothing goes to waste. What remains from one activity feeds another.” Currently, the farm produces about 70 per cent of the organic fertiliser it needs, with plans to increase production. A laboratory project which is already fully funded is also in the pipeline to support research and quality control of organic inputs. Despite the demonstrated benefits, Nkundabagenzi said consumer appreciation of organic produce remains limited. “Organic products are often sold alongside conventionally grown ones, making it difficult for consumers to tell the difference,” he said. PGS certification To address this challenge, the farm adopted the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS), a locally appropriate certification mechanism used in organic agriculture to verify compliance with organic standards. Nkundabagenzi has obtained PGS certification, although many farmers he works with are yet to do so. “Even when you have the certificate, some buyers do not understand what it means,” he noted. So far, the farm has trained about 150 farmers in organic farming practices, many of whom are expected to pursue PGS certification. However, consumer awareness remains low. He added that organic farming requires patience, as yields tend to increase gradually before stabilising—unlike chemical-based systems that may deliver quick results but degrade soil health over time. Most seeds used on the farm are produced internally. Pest and disease control relies largely on natural methods, including intercropping with plants whose smell repels insects. Some crops are intercropped freely, while others are grown separately depending on compatibility. For pest-affected crops, the farm applies organic treatments made from milled plants. Organic liquid fertilisers are also produced on site. Easily decomposable organic waste is turned into compost within about three months. Other residues are burned in a covered pit to limit emissions, producing biochar, which is later applied to fields as a soil enhancer due to its nutrient-retention capacity. Biochar is a carbon-rich material produced by heating organic matter such as crop residues, wood chips or manure in low-oxygen conditions, creating a stable form of carbon that improves soil structure and fertility. “We combine compost, biochar and liquid fertilisers to improve soil fertility,” Nkundabagenzi said. Weather-related diseases, particularly fungal infections, remain a major challenge. As a result, the farm carefully plans cropping seasons and avoids growing crops such as tomatoes during periods of heavy rainfall where possible. Growing investment interest Dieudonné Sindikubwabo, Head of Programmes at the Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM), said organic agriculture presents strong business opportunities if properly supported. “There is a need for investors to start putting money into this sector,” he said. According to Sindikubwabo, demand for organic products is rising, especially in urban markets. He cited local-breed chicken, whose meat can sell for about Rwf30,000 in Kigali, nearly double the price of exotic breeds. Eggs from local breeds also fetch higher prices. “If investors work closely with farmers, this can become a very big business,” he said. He added that organic agriculture offers export opportunities, particularly as international markets tighten restrictions on products with high chemical residues. “The demand is there. What we need now is to increase production and support farmers to meet it,” Sindikubwabo said. He noted that agroecology and organic agriculture offer access to premium markets, improved climate resilience and contributions to climate change mitigation. Demand for organic products is growing both locally and internationally, creating opportunities for businesses producing organic inputs such as biofertilisers, biopesticides and compost. However, he said the sector still faces major challenges, including the lack of clear policies tailored to its needs, limited scientific evidence, and low public awareness of the benefits of organic products. Knowledge gaps persist in organic input production and organic pest and disease management. “Organic inputs such as seeds and fertilisers are often scarce and expensive, certification costs remain high, the volume of certified organic products is low locally, and access to organic markets is limited,” he said. Meanwhile, Rwanda plans to scale up the production and use of organic fertilisers to improve soil health and boost agricultural productivity. The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) told The New Times that the proportion of farmers using organic fertilisers increased from 48.2 per cent in 2017 to 89.1 per cent in Season 2025A. Under the Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5), organic fertiliser production is projected to reach 8.5 million tonnes in 2024/2025, 9.8 million tonnes in 2025/2026, 10.3 million tonnes in 2026/2027, 11.4 million tonnes in 2027/2028, and 15.2 million tonnes by 2029.
