The RICA Seed Center celebrated the graduation of its second cohort of seed professionals, reinforcing Rwanda’s continued investment in a strong and resilient seed system that supports national food security and agricultural growth.

The program contributes to professionalising Rwanda’s seed workforce and expanding the pool of experts who guide seed production, quality assurance, and the development of seed markets.

Sixteen young professionals completed the Seed Technology and Business program, an intensive year-long course that blends scientific study, field practice, and research.

Dr. Joseph Moughan, Director of the RICA Seed Center, praised the graduates for their dedication and innovation, saying that by equipping graduates with advanced skills in seed production, quality assurance and market development, the program will expand the pool of experts driving Rwanda’s seed industry forward.

“Today we celebrate the emergence of a generation of seed leaders whose knowledge will contribute to the transformation of Rwanda’s agricultural landscape,” he said.

The program’s impact is generously funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and supported by a partnership between One Acre Fund, Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), whose officials highlighted how the collaboration strengthens Rwanda’s long-term capacity to produce high-quality seed.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources,
Dr. Olivier Kamana, emphasized the critical role of seed systems in national resilience, food security, and the prosperity of Rwanda’s rural communities.

He highlighted that as climate conditions evolve, well trained seed professionals are essential, therefore, graduation of new professionals strengthens both the sector and the communities that are served.

“Seed is the foundation of every productive harvest,” he said. “By investing in professionals, we are investing in food security and the prosperity of our rural communities,” PS Kamana said.

Belinda Bwiza, CEO of One Acre Fund Rwanda, reflected on the importance of nurturing leadership in the earliest stages of food production. She noted that strengthening the seed workforce strengthens the future of agriculture.

One of the graduates, Albert Nkundineza, who completed studies in seed technology and business, says they learned how to create new seed varieties, multiply seeds, preserve their quality even after harvest, and seed supply to farmers.

Each student is supposed to submit a project that benefits Rwandans in general. Nkundineza conducted research on protein-rich maize, whereas traditionally maize is known mainly as an energy-giving food.

His colleague, Umutoni Vanessa, worked on the importance of agroforestry cover crops, as well as pruning maize leaves to support healthy growth. She found that the yield increases by 2/7 when the plants are pruned.

The RICA Seed Center integrates greenhouse trials, laboratory research, field practice, and industry placements to ensure graduates are fully prepared for real-world challenges.

RICA’s Vice Chancellor, Dr. Olusegun Yerokin, said the graduates represent a growing community of experts, capable of influencing how seed is produced, tested, and distributed across Rwanda’s diverse landscapes.

The seed sector continues to evolve as the country responds to climate variability and the needs of farmers. Strengthening human capacity remains central to this progress. As part of its expansion, the RICA Seed Center plans to broaden its reach to cooperatives, universities, seed companies, and research institutions nationwide.

Applications for the next cohort will open on June 1, 2026, via the Center’s website.

Launched in 2023, the RICA Seed Center provides capacity-building, seed processing, and variety development services that benefit more than one million farmers. It aims to elevate seed quality, improve agricultural productivity, and spark innovation across Rwanda’s farming systems.