The Seasonal Agricultural Survey 2023 annual report by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) highlighted the performance of major crops that Rwanda prioritises under the Crop Intensification Programme (CIP). The crops play a major role in Rwandans’ nutrition.
The report covers three primary agricultural seasons in Rwanda. The main agricultural seasons include Season A, which spanned from September 2022 to February 2023, Season B which started from March to June 2023, and Season C which started from July to September 2023.
The survey results are useful to monitor the current agricultural and food supply conditions and facilitate evidence-based decision-making for the development of the agricultural sector, according to NISR.
Irish potatoes
For Irish potatoes, the cultivated area was estimated at 55,613 hectares in season A of 2023, a decrease of 1.5 per cent when compared to the same season of 2022. In season B, the cultivated area of Irish potatoes was estimated at 48,210 hectares, a decrease of 9.1 per cent when compared to the same season of 2022. In season C, the cultivated area under Irish potatoes was 10,540 hectares, an increase of 0.8 per cent when compared to the same season of 2022.
The annual production of Irish potato was estimated at slightly over 865,000 tons in 2023, representing a reduction of about 43,000 tons compared to slightly over 908,000 tons realised in 2022. The average yield of Irish potato was 8.2 tons per hectare in season A of 2023, 6.7 tons per hectare in season B, and 7.9 tons per hectare in season C of the same year.
Cassava
The cultivated area for cassava was estimated at 239,221 hectares in season A of 2023, an increase of 28.5 per cent when compared to the same season of 2022. In season B, the cultivated area for cassava was estimated at 159,089 hectares, an increase of 4 per cent when compared to season B of 2022.
The harvested area was estimated at 45,182 hectares in season A of 2023 and 49,655 hectares in season B of 2023. In total, cassava production amounted to more than 1.34 million tons in 2023, which implies about 30,000 tons less production compared to more than 1.37 million tons achieved in 2022. The average yield of cassava was 13.5 tons per hectare in season A of 2023 and 14.8 tons per hectare in season B of 2023.
Beans
The cultivated area for beans was estimated at 312,279 hectares in season A of 2023, a decrease of 13.8 per cent when compared to season A of 2022. In season B, the cultivated area for beans was estimated at 309,489 hectares, an increase of 15 per cent when compared to season B of 2022. In season C, the cultivated area for beans was 3,476 hectares, an increase of 5.6 per cent when compared to season C of 2022. Total bean production was estimated at more than 441,000 tons in 2023, or 8,000 tons less than the 449,000 tons registered in 2022. The average yield of beans was 632 kilos per hectare in season A, 789 kilos per hectare in season B, and 1,003 kilos per hectare in season C.
Source: newtimes.co.rw