Coffee is one of Rwanda’s leading agricultural exports and a crucial driver of the national economy. Between 2017 and 2023, the country exported over 113,000 tons of coffee, generating more than $452 million (approximately Rwf600 billion). Rwanda’s Fifth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5) for 2024-2029 aims to generate coffee income of 160 million USD by 2029 through increased production, driven by rejuvenation activities for aging coffee trees.
To achieve this milestone, Rwanda’s coffee sector has received a major boost through NAEB’s ambitious old coffee tree replacement, and rehabilitation program, implemented under the Promoting Smallholder Agro-Export Competitiveness Project (PSAC); co-funded by the Government of Rwanda and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
In four years, the initiative which targets the districts of Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rusizi in Western Province and Nyamagabe, Huye, and Ruhango in Southern Province aims to replace a total of 3,050 hectares of coffee farms that are over 30 years old.
With the goal of replacing 543 hectares of old coffee trees across six districts in the first year, NAEB has successfully produced 1,559,724 high-yielding coffee seedlings that will be ready for planting in November 2024. This mass seedling production is critical to ensuring the sustainability of the coffee industry, as it will rejuvenate aging plantations and promote higher yields.
Alongside replacement efforts, NAEB is also leading a rehabilitation program focused on 1,082 hectares of coffee farms that are more than seven years old. This coffee revitalisation program is designed to enhance the vigor of existing trees, leading to improved productivity and better-quality coffee. Thus far, 82 hectares of old coffee trees have been identified for rehabilitation, out of the 100 hectares targeted for in 2024.
The coffee rejuvenation activities will create various life-enhancing job opportunities and incentives, including ongoing coffee seedling production through a community approach led by youth and women groups, as well as incentives for the uprooting and planting of coffee.
To expedite the rejuvenation process and increase productivity, NAEB will provide coffee farmers with free high-yielding RAB C15 coffee seedlings, which begin to yield after just 1.5 years of planting.
Additionally, farmers will receive fertilizers at no cost and regular training on new farming techniques through Farmers Field Schools (FFS) to further boost production.
Mr. Alexis NKURUNZIZA, Traditional commodities (including coffee) Division Manager at NAEB, said: “These initiatives align with NAEB’s broader mandate to promote agricultural exports, thereby increasing the incomes of smallholder coffee farmers. By replacing old coffee trees and rehabilitating aging bushes, NAEB is ensuring the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Rwanda’s coffee industry, contributing to the overall growth of the agricultural export sector.”(End).