In Rwanda, the National Agricultural Export Board (NAEB) has just launched a project to enhance the production and competitiveness of coffee, tea, and horticultural value chains in the international market

Named 'Promotion of the Competitiveness of Smallholder Agricultural Export' (PSAC), this project, with a total cost of 62.83 million dollars, is co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

It will be implemented during the period 2024-2028 in the Western, Southern, and Northern provinces through 14 districts, including Nyamasheke, Rutsiro, Rulindo, and Bugesera

Through this project, the aim is to support the production and rehabilitation of over 8,200 hectares with smart and climate-resilient agricultural practices

Rehabilitation involves 4,132 hectares of coffee, 2,410 hectares of tea, and 1,700 hectares of horticultural crops. We have old coffee plantations to rehabilitate and others to replace. Over 25% of coffee plantations are old nationwide. The area dedicated to tea cultivation remains limited, and farmers need more tea plants," explains Eric Kabayiza, project coordinator.

For the coffee sector, the boost includes providing new harvesting facilities for cooperatives, drying units, or installing new coffee washing stations

Article source: lobservateur