Farmers in Karongi District have mobilized more than 53 million Rwandan francs to purchase certified potato seeds suited for the district’s soil. The initiative was announced in Nyamushishi Cell, Murundi Sector, during the launch of the 2026A agricultural season.
Karongi leaders recently prioritized potatoes, coffee, tea, bananas, and pineapples as key crops for economic transformation. The district aims to expand potato farming from 1,184 hectares in 2025 to 2,139 hectares by 2026.
This aligns with Rwanda’s second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which targets 9.3% annual economic growth and a 50% increase in agricultural productivity.
Mayor Muzungu Gelard said potato farming was chosen to drive economic development and improve livelihoods. “Beyond coffee and charcoal, Karongi has little to export. We want to build a strong potato value chain so trucks can load potatoes here and deliver them to Kigali,” he explained.
Farmers have already received their first batch of seeds, while efforts also continue to modernize banana plantations and expand tea production in Rugabano, Karongi, and Gisovu, alongside coffee farming.
