The increase in the budget allocated to agriculture from Rwf245.7 billion in 2025/26 to Rwf354.5 billion in 2026/27 is expected to translate into increased production. Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, told The New Times that the budget will help achieve the target to increase productivity by 50 per cent. ALSO READ: Priority projects driving proposed 2026/27 budget increase He said the money will be spent on at least 10 projects that target crop and livestock intensification, irrigation, commercialisation and de-risking the agricultural sector, modernisation of the dairy subsector as well as climate-resilient farming. ALSO READ: Where Rwanda’s Rwf7.8tn budget will go in 2026/27 These are the projects that led to the increase in the budget. The increase in the agriculture budget is aimed at boosting the sector’s productivity by 50%, Kaman said. This productivity increase target applies to the entire fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation, running from 2024 to 2029. Farmers’ wishes Jean-Paul Munyakazi, Legal Representative of Imbaraga Farmers' Organisation, which has more than 32,000 members, said the agriculture sector has specific issues that should be addressed. “The budget increase should take into account cereals and legumes production. Greater focus is needed on maize and soybeans because they benefit both consumers and livestock. We need maize to address food insecurity and soybeans for nutritious food to end malnutrition. Both crops are needed to make animal feed, which means there will lead to an increase in meat, milk and egg production,” he said. ALSO READ: Rwanda allocates over 8% of its budget to fighting climate change He noted that budget allocation to maize and soybean production would reduce imports of seeds and animal feed. “Local production of seeds and animal feed will help reduce the trade deficit and create jobs. There is a need for more subsidies to spur production,” he added. Jean-Bosco Ndatimana, a farmer from Kirehe District, said they are struggling with the effects of climate change. “Last year, we faced unusual dry spells during the season running from September to December. The budget should consider more subsidies to increase areas under irrigation. We also need subsidised tanks to harvest rainwater for our livestock because milk production declines during dry spells,” he said. While the budget is expected to increase for the 2026/27 fiscal year, it is projected to decline in subsequent fiscal years, from around Rwf350 billion to Rwf246 billion in 2027/28 and Rwf255 billion in 2028/29. MP Deogratias Minani Bizimana said that although greater efforts are expected in local seed multiplication, bananas were not prioritised despite being affected by disease. He further pointed out that sweet potatoes were not prioritised, adding that they could be used as raw materials for biscuit production in addition to strengthening food security. As he presented the Budget Framework Paper on May 11, the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, explained that although the agriculture budget is projected to decrease in the following years, “this does not mean that the number of projects has been reduced”. He noted that most projects are implemented in phases, with the biggest part of funding allocated in the initial stages before being adjusted as implementation progresses.
