Rwanda: Farmers and consumers Anticipate Enhanced GM Irish Potato Varieties as a Vital Solution

Rwandan farmers and consumers are eagerly awaiting the introduction of genetically modified (GM) Irish potato varieties engineered for higher resilience and productivity. These new seeds are expected to address longstanding challenges caused by heavy rainfall, pests, and diseases, offering hope for improved yields, lower production costs, and more stable potato supply across the country.

In Rwanda, Irish potatoes are a highly favored staple food, with the average citizen consuming approximately 60 kilograms annually. This positions Rwanda as the second-largest consumer of potatoes worldwide, after Belarus, where consumption reaches about 160 kilograms per person per year. Despite the widespread reliance on potatoes in Rwandan diets, recent climate changes characterized by increased droughts, heavy rainfall, and disease outbreaks have severely impacted production, leading to significant losses for farmers.

Farmers and consumers are now looking towards genetically modified (GM) potatoes with enhanced resilience as a promising solution to these challenges. In an in-depth exploration of this issue, we engaged with local potato farmers, traders, consumers, and officials to understand the main causes of reduced yields and to identify appropriate strategies for mitigation. The primary factors include excessive drought, heavy rains, and diseases affecting the crop.

Farmers’ Perspectives and Challenges

Judith Muhongerwa, a potato farmer and member of the ADENYA, Association for Development in Nyabimata Village, Nyaruguru District, reports frequent losses due to heavy rains, which destroy their crops. She explains:“The biggest obstacle we face is the rain. We once cultivated Victoria and Ndamira varieties, but they were completely wiped out. As a result, we mainly grow ‘Kuruza’ because it tolerates the cold better, but even then, we need to apply pesticides weekly, which are costly. Each required quantity costing between 7,000 and 12,000 Rwandan Francs.”

Muhongerwa is aware of ongoing research on rain-resistant potato varieties that do not require chemical treatments, developed by Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). She advocates for the adoption of such varieties, believing they could reduce costs, increase yields, and make potatoes more affordable in the market. Currently, potatoes sell at about 600 Rwf per kilogram for 50 Rwf few years ago.

In Ngororero District, Uzziel Binenwa, who cultivates Kirundo, Kuruseke, and Kinigi varieties, expresses a sense of discouragement due to unpredictable weather patterns and the high costs associated with inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides.

He notes: “Potato prices have risen to about 400 Rwf per kilogram from 300 Rwf, making it difficult for consumers. Apart from climate variability, the high cost of fertilizers and pesticides, coupled with labor and input expenses, erodes profitability.”

Binenwa emphasizes that, although he lacks detailed information on the progress of GM potato research, he perceives GM varieties as a potential game-changer for farmers and consumers alike, promising higher yields and reduced costs.

Consumers’ insights

Bihibindi Jean Pierre, from Cyuve Sector in Musanze District, Rwebeya Cell, Marantima Village, shares his passion for potatoes: “I love potatoes very much; it’s my favorite food. I can’t go three days without eating potatoes.”

He adds: “In my life, I enjoy eating potatoes. When prices increase, it really affects us as consumers.”

The perspective from the market side, Habimana Jean Paul, a potato seller at Kimisagara Market in Nyarugenge District, shares his experience: “I’ve been selling potatoes for four years here at Kimisagara Market. Right now, I am worried about the prices going up because of low production. We, along with the farmers, sell based on the prices set by the government to protect consumers. I source my potatoes from districts like Musanze and Nyabihu, and I see how hard the farmers work struggling with farming, applying chemicals, and fertilizers, which are all expensive. Truly, I can speak for the farmers: they don’t make good profits considering the hardships they face. What is really needed are new, improved seed varieties.”

These insights from farmers, market vendors, and consumers illustrate the complex challenges facing potato production and consumption in Rwanda. Climate variability, rising input costs, and market dynamics all influence prices and livelihoods. There is a shared hope that the development and dissemination of resilient, high-yielding GM potato varieties, along with improved farming practices, could offer sustainable solutions stabilizing prices, reducing costs, and ensuring food security for all.

The Potential of GM Potatoes

Similarly, Bosco Mbarushimana from Gatsibo District reports that many potato varieties he has cultivated have failed due to climate variability. He attempted to grow the Marirahinda variety but faced issues with its susceptibility to heavy rains, which caused the plants to rot. Despite applying recommended practices, yields remained low.

He is hopeful that the development and dissemination of drought- and disease-resistant GM potatoes, such as Victoria and Ndamira, will bring positive change. He believes that these varieties could significantly lower production costs, stabilize yields, and improve market prices, thus benefiting farmers and consumers.

Research and Development Efforts

Dr. Athanase Nduwumuremyi, a researcher at RAB specializing in potato breeding, explains that efforts are underway to develop and scale up the cultivation of GM potato varieties resistant to late blight and tolerant to adverse weather conditions. These varieties, including Victoria and Ndamira, are designed to withstand heavy rainfall and reduce the need for chemical fungicides.

He adds: “We are planning to conduct extensive trials in various regions, including Musanze, Burera, and Nyamagabe, to evaluate the performance of these GM varieties under different environmental conditions. Our goal is to ensure that they are resilient enough to cope with climate variability and accessible to farmers at affordable prices.”

Regarding concerns about the cost of GM seeds, Dr. Nduwumuremyi assures that large-scale production and distribution will make these seeds affordable, as mass dissemination typically lowers prices. He urges farmers to trust the process and prepare for the upcoming phases of seed distribution planned for 2026.

Why It Matters

Potatoes are a staple food in Rwanda, critical for both nutrition and income. However, climate change, heavy rainfall, and disease outbreaks have caused frequent crop losses, driving up costs for farmers and prices for consumers. Introducing GM Irish potato varieties offers a practical solution by increasing yields, reducing dependency on expensive chemical treatments, and stabilizing harvests. This not only strengthens food security and farmer livelihoods but also supports Rwanda’s broader agricultural development goals, enhances market competitiveness, and helps the country adapt to changing climate conditions.

Government Support and Future Outlook

Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, expresses support for integrating biotechnology into national agriculture, stating: “We plan to pilot three biotech crops by the end of 2025: virus-resistant cassava, late blight-resistant Irish potatoes, and drought- and pest-resistant maize. These developments reflect Rwanda’s commitment to modernizing agriculture and ensuring food security.”

He adds: “Our agricultural transformation is built on listening to farmers, valuing their knowledge and co-creating solutions that enhance productivity and resilience.”

Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente in African Conference on Agricultural Technologies, the second edition held in Kigali, Rwanda, from June 9-13, 2025, ACAT 2025 emphasized that technology empowers farmers and is essential for addressing current agricultural challenges, urging stakeholders to embrace innovation.

He said: “Technology is not just about tools and platforms. It is about people. It is about a farmer in a rural village using a mobile phone to check crop prices. It is about a young innovator developing a drone to monitor pests. It is about a continent that believes in its capacity to feed itself and thrive.”

He urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and forge practical partnerships that deliver scalable solutions to smallholder farmers the backbone of Africa’s food systems.

Dr. Canisius Kanangire, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) Executive Director, acknowledged progress in Agri-tech research but noted persistent bottlenecks in delivering innovations to farmers.

He says: “We need high-level policy action to optimize value chains and boost intra-African trade. Public-private partnerships are crucial to ensuring technologies reach those who need them most.”

In ACAT 2025, H.E. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, former Nigerian President and AATF Ambassador, highlighted the need for cross-border collaboration, stressing that no single country or institution can drive agricultural transformation alone.

He said: “Africa can turn around its agricultural challenges, but only if governments, the private sector, researchers, and farmers work together. We must invest in rural infrastructure, digital literacy, and affordable connectivity to scale innovations.”

Field trials across Africa, Asia, and Europe have demonstrated that GM potatoes can significantly increase yields sometimes nearly doubling production while reducing input costs and environmental impacts. Technologies such as late blight resistance, improved photosynthesis pathways, and enhanced biomass production showcase the transformative potential of biotechnology in agriculture.

Global Context and Potential Impact

Research in Nigeria, under the Global Biotechnology Potato Partnership (GBPP), demonstrated that GM potatoes engineered for late blight resistance yielded 300% more than conventional varieties in field trials, with complete resistance observed in GM lines even without fungicide application.

Rwanda’s potato production, which reached approximately 973,000 tones in 2019, is vital for food security. Irish potatoes dominate the crop landscape, covering over 41,836 hectares in 2024 with an output of around 285,596 tones, maintaining productivity levels comparable to previous years.

Adopting GM Irish potatoes could boost yields by 20–50% or more, depending on traits such as disease resistance. This would reduce reliance on expensive fungicides, lower production costs, and mitigate environmental impacts. Additionally, higher yields and stability would enhance farmers’ incomes, improve household livelihoods, and strengthen Rwanda’s position in regional markets. It would also contribute to climate resilience by ensuring more reliable and sustainable potato production throughout the year.

The Impact and Promise of GM Irish Potatoes on Rwanda’s Agriculture and Food Security

The development and adoption of genetically modified Irish potatoes in Rwanda hold the potential to transform the country’s agriculture sector. By increasing resilience to climate change, reducing production costs, and boosting yields, GM potatoes could play a crucial role in securing food for the nation. This innovation not only promises to enhance food security but also aims to strengthen Rwanda’s position in regional markets, fostering sustainable development and economic growth.

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