1
0
By Christophe Uwizeyimana
Kigali, Rwanda | 15 December 2025 —Rwanda has officially launched the Rwanda Biotech Capacity Building (BioCap) Project, a landmark initiative aimed at strengthening the country’s biotechnology ecosystem and accelerating the development of improved crops, particularly root and tuber crops that are vital to national food security and rural livelihoods.
Root and tuber crops including potatoes, cassava, sweet potatoes, and yams play a central role in Rwanda’s food systems. They provide a major source of carbohydrates, support household incomes for smallholder farmers, and offer resilience against climate-related shocks. Enhancing their productivity and sustainability is therefore a key pillar of Rwanda’s agricultural transformation agenda.
The BioCap Project was officially launched on 15 December 2025 at the Mövenpick Hotel in Kigali by the International Potato Center (CIP) in collaboration with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB). The launch marks a significant milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to harness modern biotechnology to improve crop performance, strengthen food security, and promote scientific innovation.
Why Root and Tuber Crops Matter
Root and tuber crops are essential to Rwanda’s food security due to their adaptability, high yield potential, and ability to thrive across diverse agro-ecological zones. Irish potatoes are both a staple food and a major cash crop for many farming households, while cassava and sweet potatoes contribute significantly to nutrition, climate resilience, and income generation.
Despite their importance, these crops face persistent challenges, including pests and diseases, limited access to quality planting materials, and increasing climate stress. Biotechnology offers effective tools to address these constraints by accelerating the development of improved varieties that are disease-resistant, climate-smart, and higher yielding. Strengthened research and regulatory systems will ensure that such innovations are safely developed, evaluated, and adopted by farmers.
About the BioCap Project
The Rwanda Biotech Capacity Building (BioCap) Project is a five-year initiative funded by the Gates Foundation and implemented by RAB, in partnership with CIP and a consortium of national and international collaborators. These include the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (DDPSC), Michigan State University (MSU), and Alliance for Science Rwanda (AfS Rwanda).
The project seeks to strengthen Rwanda’s national biotechnology ecosystem through targeted investments in:
- Research infrastructure and laboratory capacity
- Field testing and crop development systems
- Biosafety and regulatory frameworks
- Human capital development and technical expertise
These efforts will directly support the development and adoption of improved crop varieties, including root and tuber crops that respond to farmers’ needs and national food security priorities.
Launch and Work Planning Meeting
The BioCap Project Launch and Work Planning Meeting, taking place from 15 to 17 December 2025 in Kigali and Rubona, brings together high-level government officials, development partners, research leaders, regulators, university representatives, and regional stakeholders. The meeting introduces the project’s objectives, components, and expected outcomes while reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to advancing biotechnology as a driver of agricultural productivity and innovation.
Over the three days, participants will engage in technical sessions on research readiness, capacity building, communication and outreach, and regulatory alignment. They will also define roles, responsibilities, and governance structures, contribute to the development of a consolidated Year One workplan, and participate in a field and laboratory visit at RAB Rubona to showcase existing capacities and planned upgrades.
Positioning Rwanda as a Regional Biotechnology Hub
By prioritizing strategic crops such as roots and tubers, the BioCap Project enhances Rwanda’s ability to deliver practical, science-based solutions that benefit farmers, consumers, and the wider economy. The launch aims to foster shared ownership, strengthen coordination across institutions, and identify synergies with ongoing national and regional programs.
As Rwanda continues to invest in modern biotechnology, initiatives like BioCap will help unlock the full potential of root and tuber crops—boosting productivity, improving nutrition, and positioning the country as a regional leader in agricultural biotechnology development.
Eric Magembe, BioCap Project Manager, said:
“The BioCap project is designed to strengthen Rwanda’s biotechnology capacity by building skills, improving research infrastructure, and fostering strong national and international partnerships. The initiative focuses on enabling researchers to safely and efficiently develop and test improved crop varieties that respond to national agricultural priorities.”
He added that “by strengthening regulatory systems and investing in human capital, the project aims to ensure that scientific innovations are translated into practical solutions that reach farmers on time. This will contribute to increased agricultural productivity, improved food security, and greater resilience of Rwanda’s farming systems.”
Remarks – Ag. DG, RAB, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro:
Dr. Uwamahoro thanked all partners for supporting the process and emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange. “On behalf of the Government of Rwanda and RAB, we are committed to doing our best to achieve our goals,” she said. “I believe that together, we will succeed.”
Remarks – Dr. Joyce Maru, Regional Director, CIP:
Dr. Maru thanked everyone who attended the event and emphasized that Africa is about food sovereignty, which requires the right policies. She expressed her admiration for the progress made and stressed the urgency to modernize and accelerate biotechnology projects. “We don’t have time,” she said. “We need faster and more effective delivery of solutions to our farmers, and we must establish strong partnership models. This is also the time to communicate science effectively to build trust.”
Remarks – Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Solange Uwituze:
Minister of State, Dr.Uwituze highlighted that the BioCap project complements ongoing research activities on cassava, maize, and potatoes. She added that the project will now expand to include bananas and the of gene-editing technology.
“To ensure the success of this program, our researchers will participate in short-term training programs at Michigan State University in the USA and in Peru,” Uwituze said. “The aim of this project is to strengthen our research capacity by enhancing the knowledge and skills of our scientists and increasing their numbers. This will contribute to higher agricultural productivity, reduce the use of chemical inputs, and mitigate losses caused by extreme weather conditions such as excessive heat.”
Photo: Pacifique Nshimiyimana, Director of Alliance for Science Rwanda, highlighting the significant importance of the BioCap project.
Photo:State Secretary Uwituze at the BioCap project launch, highlighting the use of gene-editing technology to improve root, tuber, and banana crops.
Photo:Dr. Canisius K. Kanangire, Executive Director of the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), attended the launch.
Photo:The BioCap Project is officially launched, marking a major step towards promoting sustainable environmental solutions and advancing scientific innovation in Rwanda.
Photo: The participants warmly welcomed the project.
EventPhotos:http://:https://amanistudio69.pixieset.com/rwandabiotechcapacitybuildingbiocapprojectlaunch/
