Rwanda’s Agricultural Landscape: A Comprehensive Analysis from the Seasonal Agricultural Survey 2023

The NISR’s Seasonal Agricultural Survey 2023 annual report underscores the crucial role of major crops within Rwanda’s Crop Intensification Programme (CIP) and their impact on nutrition.

Covering three primary agricultural seasons – Season A (September 2022 to February 2023), Season B (March to June 2023), and Season C (July to September 2023) – the report serves as a key tool for monitoring current agricultural and food supply conditions, facilitating evidence-based decision-making for the sector’s development.

Here’s a breakdown of the performance of five major crops under CIP:

Maize:

– Cultivated area: 226,982 hectares in 2023 Season A, a 3.3% increase from 2022.

– Production: Over 508,000 tonnes in the 2023 farming year.

– Average yield: 1.7 tonnes per hectare in Season A.

Irish Potatoes:

– Cultivated area: 55,613 hectares in Season A of 2023, a 1.5% decrease from 2022.

– Production: Slightly over 865,000 tonnes in 2023.

– Average yield: 8.2 tonnes per hectare in Season A.

Cassava:

– Cultivated area: 239,221 hectares in Season A of 2023, a robust 28.5% increase from 2022.

– Production: Over 1.34 million tonnes in 2023.

– Average yield: 13.5 tonnes per hectare in Season A.

Paddy Rice:

– Cultivated area: 16,135 hectares in Season A of 2023, a 1.9% increase from 2022.

– Production: 133,628 tonnes in 2023.

– Average yield: 3.96 tonnes per hectare in Season A.

Beans:

– Cultivated area: 312,279 hectares in Season A of 2023, a 13.8% decrease from 2022.

– Production: Over 441,000 tonnes in 2023.

– Average yield: 632 kilos per hectare in Season A.

Additionally, the survey reveals farmers’ practices, indicating the adoption rates of improved seeds, inorganic fertilizers, and irrigation techniques across different seasons. In Season A of 2023, 37.1% of farmers used improved seeds, while 59.6% applied inorganic fertilizers.

Furthermore, 10.3% of farmers practiced irrigation during this season, offering insights into evolving agricultural dynamics in Rwanda.