Rwanda has emerged as a leader in seed potato production in the African Great Lakes Region, impacting the potato value chain relied upon by over half a million smallholder farmers. The developments in Rwanda present a new opportunity for one of East Africa's essential food and cash crops.
The potato seed system's complexities, characterized by multiple multiplication seasons and informal trade, have long affected productivity. Farmers often depend on lower-quality, informal seed potatoes, making them susceptible to diseases and reduced yields.
In addressing the "seed leak," two organizations—SPF Ikigega and EGSP—initiated solutions. They adopted mixed financing strategies that include farmer investments, bank loans, impact capital, and strategic subsidies to establish farmer-owned facilities. Key infrastructure includes the largest indoor minituber production centers, open-field multiplication sites, and climate-resilient storage units in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In May 2025, Rwanda achieved a milestone with the launch of its first national seed potato catalogue. Supported by farmers' organizations and the International Potato Center (CIP), Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority (RICA), and Agriterra, this initiative is pivotal for transparency and productivity.
The catalogue offers essential data on potato varieties, covering tuber characteristics, maturity, market uses, yield potential, and resistance to diseases like late blight, Potato Virus Y (PVY), and Potato Leafroll Virus (PLRV). Acquiring such insights permits farmers to make informed choices, enhancing productivity and reducing risks.
Rwanda's seed potatoes are increasingly reaching the highlands of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Burundi. However, regulatory hurdles often force these seed potatoes to be mislabeled to bypass trade restrictions.
The absence of a formal regional seed potato trade stems from individual country lists of approved potato varieties, creating trade bottlenecks. Each nation requires specific imported variety identification, achievable only with harmonized catalogues.
COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa) regulations offer a potential path forward. An officially approved seed variety in two member states can circulate freely among all 21 COMESA countries. If more countries follow Rwanda in developing seed potato catalogues featuring shared varieties, the sector could experience widespread benefits.
Alignment would enhance seed quality transparency, open new market possibilities, improve productivity, increase farmer incomes, and potentially attract international seed companies. There would be a heightened demand for certified, traceable seeds, fostering a resilient seed system.
With Rwanda paving the way through farmer-led innovations, infrastructure, and policy advocacy, the region's potato sector may witness advancement. A collaborative effort for regional catalogue development and harmonization could enable comprehensive cross-border seed trade, enhancing economies and transforming livelihoods across the Great Lakes.
Source: PotatoPro
