When Evariste Tugirinshuti planted two maize varieties on his farm in Kirehe District, he expected both to deliver good harvests. Instead, the yields fell far below his expectations. Tugirinshuti, president of the Federation of Maize Farmers' Cooperatives, planted 12 kilogrammes of a maize seed variety called RHM 1407 on half a hectare, expecting to harvest about 3.5 tonnes. He got only 1.2 tonnes. On another plot during the same season, he planted eight kilogrammes of another maize seed variety called RHM 1409 on about 42 acres, expecting about 2.5 tonnes. The harvest was just 800 kilogrammes. He said both varieties developed problems during production and drying, including rotting leaves and produce that deteriorated instead of drying properly. ALSO READ: Fake seeds dealers could face jail term under new bill Such experiences, he said, have made farmers increasingly concerned about the quality and reliability of some seed varieties on the market. “Sometimes, when seeds are not properly researched, they fail to germinate. Even when they germinate, they may fail to produce as expected or eventually rot,” Tugirinshuti said. His concerns come as Rwanda's new agriculture law takes effect, introducing provisions on crop variety registration, seed certification, agricultural research and the regulation of agricultural inputs. Farmers and private-sector players say effective implementation of those provisions could help address persistent concerns over poor germination, low yields and seed varieties that fail to perform as expected under local conditions. The law provides for the examination and registration of crop varieties and sets requirements for seed production, processing, inspection, testing and certification. For Tugirinshuti, the key question is whether stronger regulation and research will translate into more reliable seeds in farmers' fields. ALSO READ: Farmers back agriculture bill, seek swift implementation Some maize seed varieties cost about Rwf800 per kilogramme, while varieties such as WH 403 and WH 507 can cost around Rwf2,000 per kilogramme. Despite the price difference, he said, farmers sometimes prefer the more expensive varieties because they believe they are less likely to fail. “Research is essential for developing crop varieties that are resilient to climate change and resistant to pests and diseases. That will help farmers reduce losses and increase productivity,” he said. The law recognises several seed categories, including breeder seed, pre-basic seed, basic seed, certified seed, certified seed category two and quality-declared seed. Tugirinshuti said stronger research, testing and certification could help restore farmers' confidence in improved varieties. Francois Nziyonsenga, a flower farmer and researcher based in Burera District, said regulating seeds and agricultural inputs was important, but Rwanda should also invest more in developing and testing varieties suited to local conditions. “Controlling seeds and agricultural inputs is important because it can help prevent the importation of harmful products,” he said. Nziyonsenga said greater attention should also be paid to locally suitable and traditional crop varieties as part of efforts to strengthen food security. “Preserving our agricultural heritage is important, but preservation alone is not enough. It should also inspire us to make better use of that wealth,” he said. Jean-Claude Shirimpumu, the first vice-president of the agriculture cluster under the Private Sector Federation, said the new framework could address long-standing complaints about seed quality. “In the past, farmers sometimes received seed varieties with poor germination rates or that failed to perform as expected. Strengthening research and regulating crop varieties should improve the quality of seeds available to farmers,” he said. Shirimpumu said registration and control of imported crop varieties would also help ensure that seeds introduced into Rwanda are suitable for local conditions while reducing the risk of pests and diseases. The law also provides for the examination and registration of agrochemicals and bio-inputs before they are approved for use or sale. “There is a need to mobilise and educate farmers so they understand the law and how it is intended to protect and support them,” Shirimpumu said. Beyond seed quality, the law introduces other changes intended to strengthen regulation across the agriculture sector. It classifies farmers into small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale categories, with the criteria and requirements for each category to be determined by a ministerial order. Tugirinshuti said the classification could help authorities better target agricultural support. “Once farmers are identified according to their level of production, it becomes easier to respond to their specific needs. Small-scale farmers, for example, often struggle to access markets, but proper identification can help organise them into cooperatives and connect them to market opportunities,” he said. The new framework also covers aquaculture, where farmers have previously raised concerns over unclear rules governing sites and shared water resources. Themistocle Munyangeyo, a fish farmer, said clearer regulations could reduce disputes and give investors more certainty. “The absence of clear regulations and guidelines made our aquaculture operations uncertain. You could take a bank loan, invest in a fish farming site, and later someone comes claiming that the site belongs to them,” he said. Munyangeyo said clearer rules on access to shared water resources and areas of operation would give fish farmers greater confidence to invest in the sector.
