In a bid to modernize and commercialize its agriculture sector, Rwanda is set to introduce agrihubs and food basket sites as part of a new strategic land management approach. 

These initiatives, outlined in the recently launched Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5), aim to enhance agricultural productivity, improve market linkages, and attract private sector investment.

The strategy, which will run from 2024/2025 to 2028/2029, seeks to optimize land use by consolidating scattered smallholder farms into larger, more manageable production units. This will allow for better infrastructure, mechanization, and access to markets, ultimately increasing food security and exports.

Rwanda’s agriculture sector is dominated by smallholder farmers, many of whom operate on plots averaging 0.2 hectares. To address challenges related to low productivity and fragmented land use, the government plans to designate specific areas as agrihubs and food basket sites, enabling more efficient farming practices and economies of scale.

By 2028/2029, Rwanda aims to have 5,600 hectares designated as agrihubs and 324,702 hectares as food basket sites, significantly increasing the scale of organized farming in the country.

Agricultural economist Alfred Bizoza supports this approach, emphasizing that Rwanda’s small land holdings can be optimized through consolidation and leasing to investors with the expertise and resources to boost yields.

With this ambitious strategy, Rwanda aims to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and establish itself as a key player in regional and international food markets.