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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.
Remarks – State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr.Solange Uwituze:
State Secretary 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 using 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:State Secretary Uwituze at the BioCap project launch, highlighting the use of gene-editing technology to improve root, tuber, and banana crops.
Photo: The participants warmly welcomed the project
Link: Event Photos:http://:https://amanistudio69.pixieset.com/rwandabiotechcapacitybuildingbiocapprojectlaunch/
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