Farmers’ Potato Academy in Rwanda has significantly enhanced the yield of Irish Potatoes

By Jean Baptiste Ndabananiye

Rwandan Irish potato farmers are observing their yields triple thanks to a groundbreaking farming technology taught at the Farmers’ Potato Academy (FPA) initiated from farmers’ wish in early 2021 by Imbaraga Farmers Organization (IFO) with funding from Agriterra, an organization of the Netherlands’ farmers. By ensuring that some rain water, seeds and fertilizers stay in the soil of sloping places, this innovation is transforming crop production, according to Jean Paul Munyakazi- the Legal Representative of IFO and various Rwandan Irish potato farmers of COAPTIKA-Abajyinama Cooperative. Munyakazi recommends to research on seeds of Irish potatoes which can grow in Rwanda’s Eastern Province. Rwanda figures among the top 50 major producers of Irish potatoes globally.

IFO is a Rwandan organization working to improve the socio-economic conditions of an estimated 27,300 farmers in 25 out of 30 districts across the country. COAPTIKA-Abajyinama is an Irish potato-cultivating cooperative in Nyabihu District in Rwanda’s West.

This story rests primarily upon testimonies collected from the cooperative’s members around three years ago and fresh updates from Munyakazi. These farmers said that the technology led them to amazing produce and that it had consequently enabled them to achieve incredible advancement.  

IFO stated that it had experimented on the technology with more than 20 cooperatives in Rubavu, Nyabihu, Musanze, Burera, and Gicumbi Districts. It added that it had found that this technology was generating spectacular results.

One of techniques used in this technology involves cultivating Irish potatoes in horizontal lines on mountainsides or slanting places. Cultivating in horizontal lines, often referred to as contour farming or contour plowing, is an agricultural practice where crops are planted in rows that follow the contours or lines of the landscape. The rows are aligned horizontally across a sloped area.

This technique helps to reduce soil erosion by decelerating water runoff and allows water to be absorbed more effectively into the soil. This stands particularly beneficial in preventing soil degradation in sloping areas, forming an important method in sustainable farming.

That is what happened when the cooperative’s members employed the technique. It effectively prevented rainwater from washing seeds and fertilizers away from their Irish potato plantations. Unlike before, where rainwater carried these materials away, the contour farming technique retained them in the plantations, resulting in improved water retention and better preservation of seeds and fertilizers.

All the farmers maintained that the yield of a hectare had risen threefold. They specified that a hectare was producing between 28 and 32 tons, while it only generated between 10 and 12 hectares of Irish potatoes.

This stunning increase in production had also permitted them to register marvelous progress for a short period of time in relation to their status before. Marie Chantal Nyirasafari said “As members of the cooperative, we have completely eradicated hunger and achieved significant prosperity, thanks to Imbaraga (IFO) and Agriterra and the cultivating technique that they have introduced.

Previously, we experienced hunger and had to buy food products every May and July, but this is now a thing of the past. I have since bought two cows for 700 000 Rwandan francs (around $700), I have purchased a piece of land for 1,100,000 Rwandan francs (approximately $1,100), and acquired television set for 400,000 Rwandan francs (RWF). It’s a type of modern television set, specifically a flat-screen model.”

Another farmer, Marie Chantal Ayinkamiye, said that she used to be classified in the first category of Ubudehe. But she had already entered the category of comfortable people.

Ubudehe categories have now been eliminated. The Ubudehe categorization system classified Rwandans into different socio-economic categories to assist in targeting government assistance and social programs. The system categorized households into different levels based on their economic status. These categories were used for the government and various organizations to provide targeted support, such as in health, education, and infrastructure. The government states that it will use other mechanisms, to supply the targeted support.

Ayinkamiye explained “I have acquired a forest and I have been able to also possess a mushroom farm where I have bought two mushroom production houses for 150 000 RWF. I have already harvested from one of the houses once and will harvest from it up to eight times.

From the first harvest alone, I earned 70,000 RWF, which covered the investment capital for the mushroom production house. I used to be categorized as poverty-stricken, but now I am so comfortable that I was able to give 1,500,000 RWF to my daughter to start a veterinary pharmacy, as she has completed her secondary studies in animal medicine.”

Jean Baptiste Niyonteze was then COAPTIKA’s Agronomist. Life In Humanity has not managed to know whether or not he still occupies the position. Though he was serving as an agronomist, he had not studied this field in his background education. He had instead completed accounting at the bachelor’s level. Moreover, he joined this cooperative as its accountant. But, he eventually asked to abandon this job so as to work as an agronomist after he was trained by IFO and Agriterra on the technology and after he saw its amazing outcomes.

He elucidated that this technology had become an exceedingly great answer for him. “Upon finishing my university studies, I went to Kigali City in search for a job. But for example today I could get casual work, yet I could lack any work tomorrow. It’s when Imbaraga and Agriterra called me that I started being fond of farming. I now intend to pursue a Master’s degree in Agri-business, I have now purchased a plot for 3 500 000RWF in Byangabo.” Byangabo is located in Musanze District in Rwanda’s Northern Province.

All these farmers asked the Government for its role in popularizing this technology among all farmers in the country. For instance, Theonestine Ingabire, one of young people whom the cooperative comprises, explained “After I harvested twice, since I have now completed three seasons, I went to learn how to drive a vehicle, I failed the driving test four times. Since I went to undergo the test in Karongi District, it cost me about 280 000RWF for me to obtain a driving license. I intend to rent a vehicle and drive it to Kigali with my produce, since I believe it will be more profitable.

However, before entering the farming sector, I ran a restaurant. The restaurant did not help me to achieve my dreams. But, as mentioned earlier, starting farming allowed me to instantaneously fulfill my dream of learning how to drive. Given that the government has village-based agriculture advisors, I would like to request that these advisors be trained on this technology, so that they may promote it everywhere.”

She added that she was realizing her other dreams, owing to farming revolutionized by the technology.

Nevertheless, these farmers while being trained on the technology and being told its impressive productivity, they were skeptical. They thought that IFO and Agriterra were just overstating the benefits.

Denys Munzuyarwo was then IFO’s Coordinator in the Northern Province and specifically Coordinator of the academy. He also echoed that these farmers didn’t really believe the training. He said that they struggled to believe that a technology could actually increase production nearly threefold.

He however added that the farmers only concurred on it, when some of their representatives arrived on plantations in Holland, through an educational visit supported by IFO and Agriterra. He explained another tactic boosting the production considerably. “We discovered a key practice used by farmers in the Netherlands. While we used to plant one and a half to two tons of Irish potato seeds per hectare; which resulted in low yields, we learned that they plant four tons per hectare.

For instance, if you plant two tons and each seed produces 10 Irish potatoes, you can see that planting four tons will yield 40 tons of produce. The advantage of planting more seeds is that the manpower and other inputs, such as fertilizers, needed are the same for a farm planted with two tons. Essentially, the same number of workers manage a farm with four tons of seeds as one with two tons, maximizing efficiency and output.”

Munyakazi also suggested that this technology be widely promoted. He recommended that various stakeholders, including agricultural researchers, relevant government agencies, and development partners, collaborate with IFO to advance the technology. Additionally, he proposed that the technology should not be limited to Irish potatoes but should also be applied to other crops, such as maize and bananas.

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its 30 May 2022 article entitled “Doubling global potato production in 10 years is possible” said that Irish potatoes are the world’s third most important food crop. Adding that these potatoes are regularly consumed by billions of people, FAO said “They (potatoes) also generate income for small-scale producers, offer a low-fat, high-fibre source of healthy carbohydrates rich in antioxidants and nutrients, and also generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions than other major crops.”

Fresh updates

800 farmers have currently graduated from the FPA. Munyakazi says that all the farmers have benefitted immensely from this school. He explains “Among the 800 graduates, a farmer with the lowest yield now produces 20 tons per hectare, compared to around 10 tons before using the technology. Those achieving the highest yields produce between 30 and 32 tons per hectare. Dutch farmers, however, reach yields of up to 50 tons per hectare, due to their flat landscape. Yet again for the Dutch farmers to obtain the yield, they first ensure that their land meets required conditions.

For instance, they utilize fertilizers that satisfy standards needed for their land to produce high yield. Before deciding the standards of fertilizers to employ, they test the land; for instance, to check whether it contains sufficient phosphorus and calcium. After the test, they calculate the quantity of calcium and phosphorus required for the land to generate high produce. When they find that the land possess little calcium and enough phosphorus, they will employ fertilizers which don’t comprise phosphorus but instead hold enough calcium. When you don’t test land, you can use a fertilizer that contains azote, while the land already contains sufficient quantity of azote.”

Phosphorus constitutes a chemical element and essential nutrient for plants, animals, and humans. In agriculture, phosphorus is commonly added to soils through phosphate fertilizers to ensure that crops receive adequate amounts. Phosphorus deficiencies in soil can lead to poor plant growth and reduced crop yields.

Azote is an older term for nitrogen, which is a chemical element and essential nutrient for living organisms. In agriculture, nitrogen fertilizers are commonly used to enhance soil fertility and promote crop growth. They help to correct nitrogen deficiencies in the soil, which can lead to poor plant development and reduced yields.

Calcium in agriculture helps to improve soil tilth and promotes healthy root development. Calcium is supplied to crops through lime or gypsum to correct soil acidity and provide necessary nutrients. Soil tilth represents an important factor in agricultural productivity, as it influences how well soil supports plant growth.

Life In Humanity has asked Munyakazi why this academy focuses exclusively on the Irish potato crop. “We started with Irish potatoes, because we built the academy on teacher farmers who were already available, and these were Irish potato farmers only. It is for this reason that we requested Agriterra to bring us Irish potato specialists. But, we are projecting to incorporate some other crops like maize, bananas and beans.”

Irish potatoes are predominantly cultivated in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The region’s favorable climate and soil conditions render it ideal for growing Irish potatoes, contributing to their widespread cultivation there.

Nevertheless, the Northern Province of Rwanda, particularly areas around Musanze, is being transformed into a significant tourist hub. This region stands famous for its proximity to Volcanoes National Park renowned for gorilla trekking and other wildlife experiences. The development of tourism infrastructure and attractions is enhancing the area’s appeal to visitors while contributing to the local economy. The transformation aims to balance agricultural activities with tourism, leveraging the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

It is on this observation that Munyakazi bases his recommendation of research on Irish potato seeds which can grow in the East of Rwanda. “The North of Rwanda is increasingly becoming a popular tourist destination, so we are advising RAB to conduct research on Irish potato seeds that can thrive in hot places. This way, the seeds can be cultivated in the Eastern Province of Rwanda where irrigation can be fruitful.

Rwanda is blessed with such amazing land that even foreigners say so. Professional farmers from France and Netherlands are stunned by our land, they say that we enjoy land with good soil. As it will come to pass that Rwanda’s North is developed for touristic attractions, we recommend RAB to seek Irish potatoes that can grow in the East. We thus believe that the East is fine since it bears resemblance with the Netherlands’ landscape generating the high yield of 50 tons per hectare.”

According to him, most of the Eastern Province is relatively flat and irrigation can assuredly beget amazing yield of this crop. He further says that IFO has already spoken to RAB. “We have already discussed it with RAB, it has also observed the issue and knows that the East constitutes a potential.

Irish potatoes in the East succeed in producing 15 to 18 tons per hectare, while the average per hectare in Rwanda ranges between 8 to 12 tones.”

Irish potato production regionally and globally

Egypt holds the first position in Africa in the production of Irish potatoes, according to World Population Review (WPR), while FAO ranks Rwanda sixth continentally. However, SME Blue Pages in its 25 January 2024 says “Algeria is the leading country in potato production in Africa followed by Egypt. The record previously held by Algeria was broken by Nigeria in 2023. Nigeria emerged as the largest potato producer in the continent, contributing to 58% of the overall volume.” It is evident that SME Blue Pages has been mistaken about Algeria, confusing it with Nigeria.

SME Blue Pages is said to be a Pan-African digital platform created  and led by the SME Support Centre showcasing all made- in -Africa brands. Again while FAO’s website indicates that Rwanda is the 6^th largest producer of Irish potatoes in Africa, SME Blue Pages ranks it 5^th. “Rwanda also doubled its potato production in the last 5 years and now ranks among the top 5 potato producing countries of Africa,” it says before adding “Africa has witnessed a significant surge in potato production over the past decade, with countries like Algeria, Egypt, Malawi, South Africa, Rwanda, and Kenya emerging as major contributors to the continent’s overall output”.

WPR is said to be an independent for-profit organization committed to delivering up-to-date global population data and demographics. Its website is regarded as valuable for researchers, policymakers, students, and anyone interested in understanding population dynamics globally.

The discrepancy might be due to the dates when the information was released by these platforms, because WPR’s article headline “Potato Production by Country 2024” is founded on the data of 2021. But, Life In Humanity has not known the release time of the data used by SME Blue Pages, since it only mentions its sources FAO, International Potato Center, African Potato Exporters, and the National Potato Council of Kenya. The following, is information with production in metric tons, which indicates the top 10 major potato producing countries in the world, according to the 2021 WPR article.

Country	2021 Production
China	94,300,000
India	54,230,000
Ukraine	21,356,320
United States	18,582,370
Russia	18,295,535
Germany	11,312,100
Bangladesh	9,887,242
France	8,987,220
Poland	7,081,460
Egypt	6,902,817

WPR ranks the Netherlands 11^th with the production of 6,675,590 and Canada 12^th with the production of 6,372,183. These countries lead global potato production, due to their favorable climates, advanced farming techniques, and large areas dedicated to cultivation. Potatoes thrive in temperate climates with cool nights and well-distributed rainfall.

These major potato producers often use advanced machinery for planting and harvesting; which increases efficiency and reduces labor costs. This mechanization allows large-scale production that smaller, less technologically advanced farms cannot match. These countries invest in agricultural research to develop potato varieties that are disease-resistant, have higher yields, and are better suited to their specific environmental conditions.

These leading nations employ advanced irrigation techniques, such as drip and sprinkler systems, to ensure consistent water supply and reduce water waste. This is particularly crucial in regions with less predictable rainfall, the reason why Munyakazi recommends research and robust irrigation to capitalize upon the Eastern Province of Rwanda.

QU Dongyu is FAO’s Director-General. In the FAO’s article, he stated that Irish potatoes were cultivated on more than 20 million hectares in 150 countries for a total global output of 359 million tons in 2020.

He added that by focusing on improving yields and exploiting historic potato cultivation areas, worldwide production could be raised to 500 million tons in 2025 and 750 million tons in 2030. Commending the genius of the peoples of Peru and Bolivia who domesticated the potato, Dongyu noted that Asia and Africa are the regions with the fastest growth of potato production today. He highlighted that output was declining in Europe and North America.

According to WPR, Peru is the 14^th with 5 661 443 metric tons annually, Bolivia stands at the 39^th position with 1 272 649, while Rwanda holds the 46^th place with 938 281 in the world.