4,000 Kayonza Farmers to Benefit from New Project Boosting Maize and Soybean Value Chains

Kayonza District’s smallholder farmers are set for a major boost as a new project seeks to strengthen maize and soybean value chains, promising to reduce post-harvest losses and expand market opportunities for 4,000 farmers.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in partnership with the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), cooperatives, private companies, and development organizations such as IDH, launched the pilot phase of the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission Pillar 3 (FARM P3) on September 11. The $1.23 million initiative will run in Kayonza and focuses on practical solutions to persistent challenges in storage, drying, and access to reliable buyers.

Tackling Post-Harvest Losses

Post-harvest maize losses in Rwanda are estimated at nearly 14 percent, largely due to poor drying facilities and lack of storage infrastructure. FARM P3 will co-invest in drying shelters for cooperatives and expand access to mobile mechanical dryers for small enterprises. By cutting moisture levels and improving grain quality, farmers will be able to meet private-sector standards and secure higher prices.

Dr. Alexandre Rutikanga, Chief Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), said the project will contribute to advancing Rwanda’s PSTA 5 strategy of building resilient, inclusive, and market-driven value chains.

“By reducing post-harvest losses and fostering reliable market linkages, FARM P3 will empower smallholders while creating new investment opportunities for private sector actors,” Rutikanga noted.

“Through FARM P3, cooperatives, small and medium enterprises, and financial institutions will work together in a more structured way to foster win-win partnerships across key value chains,” said Dagmawi Habte-Selassie, IFAD Country Director. “The focus is not only on training and equipment, but also on building sustainable business relationships that ensure smallholder farmers can sell more, waste less, and increase their incomes.”

Farmers Eager for Change

Local farmers in Kayonza say the project comes at the right time. Beatha Manirakiza, president of Abadatinyurugamba–Miyaga Cooperative, recalled how the IFAD-supported Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project (KIIWP2) had already improved their yields.

“Before, we cultivated one hectare and harvested two tonnes of maize of poor quality because of lack of skills and manure. Now, with training and support, we cultivate 2.5 hectares and harvest four to 4.5 tonnes,” she said. “But we still face serious challenges in drying our produce. FARM P3 will help us close that gap.”

For soybean farmers, the challenge is less about drying and more about market awareness.

Angelique Ntireberaho stated that their cooperative initially unaware of the value and market potential for soy. To effectively address this identified demand, she emphasized the necessity of securing high-quality seeds, providing comprehensive training, and disseminating crucial information to ensure a consistent supply to the market.

Private Sector Demand Rising

Private companies have signaled strong interest in sourcing from Rwandan farmers. Africa Improved Foods (AIF), a leading processor, says it currently buys only 25–30 tonnes of soybeans annually, while its demand is 3,000–4,000 tonnes.

“If farmers can grow and aggregate, we will provide transport logistics from the farm. Whatever you produce, we will buy,” said Rajesh Singh, Procurement and Sustainability Director at AIF.

An inclusive business analysis conducted with IDH suggests soybean could raise smallholder incomes by 2.3 times over five years if farmers adopt good agricultural practices and secure stable market linkages.

Building Resilience

FARM P3 is part of a three-pillar global initiative launched by France under the EU Council Presidency to address food system fragility. IFAD is coordinating the third pillar, which emphasizes resilient and sustainable food systems in Africa. FARM P3 is also active in Senegal, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe, where it adapts its model to local value chains and development needs.

In Rwanda, FARM P3 complements the larger IFAD-funded Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project – Phase II – KIIWP2 (2021 – 2028), which supports more than 40,000 households in boosting food security and climate resilience. Together, the two projects are expected to reshape Kayonza’s agricultural landscape, ensuring that farmers produce more, lose less, and earn better incomes.