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INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO STREAMLINE IRISH POTATO VALUE CHAIN

The Irish potato is one of Rwanda’s most important crops and a key priority under the government’s Crop Intensification Program. Rwanda has significantly increased potato production, rising from about 2.24 million tons in 2013 to 6 million tons in 2019, due to expanded cultivation areas and improved yields.

The African Roots and Tuber Project under FAO supports this growth by promoting sustainable, market-driven production, strengthening farmer cooperatives, improving access to finance and climate risk management tools, and developing business models across the potato value chain. 

Despite its profitability, the sector faces several challenges.                                                

Farmers struggle to access high-quality seeds and modern inputs, with only about 2% of seeds meeting approved quality standards. Limited private sector involvement, weak seed systems, poor storage facilities, underdeveloped processing capacity, and inefficient marketing systems further constrain the value chain. Strengthening research, seed multiplication, post-harvest handling, processing, and private sector participation is essential for sustainable growth of Rwanda’s Irish potato industry.