Rwanda's wheat production has increased significantly in recent years due to policy incentives for farmers and land consolidation efforts. Wheat is grown by small-scale farmers between 1,900-2,500 meters above sea level. Total wheat grain production is around 160,000 metric tons annually, though around 30-40% is consumed domestically and 15,000 metric tons are still imported. Opportunities exist to further increase wheat supplies through expanding land area under wheat cultivation and improving productivity.

1. Dr. Daphrose Gahakwa
Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB)

2. Red: High Lands (1700 - 2300 M)
Green : Mid Altit .(1400 – 1700M)
Yellow : Low Land (1000 – 1400 M)

3.  wheat is produced at 1,900-2,500masl
 Allwheat is produced by small scale
farmers
 Wheat area is rapidly increasing

5. 180000
160000
140000
120000
Production (t)
100000
Production (t)
80000
Land covered (ha)
60000
40000
20000
0
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Year

6.  Policy Incentives (CIP)
 Land Consolidation
 Useof improved varieties and other
agronomic practices

7. Land consolidation
Easier distribution of farm inputs
Easier provision of Extension services
Easier Crop Marketing

8.  Total grain production about 160,000 MT
 Not all goes to formal flour milling
 About 30-40% consumed at home
 About 15,000 MT imported annually

9. Attempts to increase supply-Interest of
both Government and Private Sector
Options:
 Increase land under wheat
 Increase productivity/unit
area

10. Yellow rust Stem rust Powdery mildew

11. Chnootriba similis

12.  Improve - Baking quality through breeding
- Post harvest handling
 More of what is locally produced is attractive
to millers

13. Hard Versus Soft Wheat
 Hard Wheat = Winter wheat, planted in Autumn,
harvested in Summer (7-8 months, in Temperate areas)
 Higher protein (Gluten content)
 Rwanda only grows soft wheat
 Imports small quantities of hard wheat for blending to
improve flour quality

14. - Increased productivity expanded to new areas;
- Develop higher yielding varieties with better baking
qualities
- Strengthen wheat research capacity
- Mobilize resources for wheat research
- Strengthen regional and international collaboration
- Improve post harvest handling
- develop climate smart varieties
- Acquire and test diverse germplasm
- Take advantage of EAAPP

15. - CIMMYT and Regional research institutions. These
institutions are the main source of quality wheat
germplasm
- Wheat research is exclusively supported by the
Government of Rwanda

16. Thank You for your kind attention
Amasegnalu-u