The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), in collaboration with the Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), farmer cooperatives, private sector partners, and development organizations such as IDH, has launched the pilot phase of the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission Pillar 3 (FARM P3) in Rwanda. The initiative will focus on strengthening maize and soybean value chains in Kayonza District to benefit up to 4,000 smallholder farmers. With a budget of US$1.23 million, the project complements the larger IFAD-funded Kayonza Irrigation and Integrated Watershed Management Project – Phase II, which supports over 40,000 rural households to boost food security and climate resilience.
FARM P3 aims to reduce food loss and improve market access by creating structured partnerships between cooperatives, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), banks, and buyers. Beyond providing training and equipment, the initiative emphasizes sustainable business relationships that help farmers sell more, waste less, and increase their incomes. For buyers, this approach ensures reliable access to higher-quality maize and strengthens long-term supply chains.
One of the key targets of the project is cutting post-harvest maize losses, currently at 13.8 percent. The initiative will co-invest in drying shelters for cooperatives and expand access to mobile mechanical dryers for SMEs, helping farmers reduce grain moisture and meet private sector standards. This will allow farmers to secure better prices, while buyers benefit from consistent quality and lower sourcing risks.
As part of the broader FARM programme addressing the global food crisis, this pilot focuses on accelerating the transition to sustainable and resilient food systems in Africa. By aligning farmer organizations, buyers, and service providers, FARM P3 supports Rwanda’s agricultural transformation agenda under PSTA 5, which prioritizes resilient, inclusive, and market-driven value chains.
Alongside maize, the programme is laying the foundation for commercial soybean production to meet rising private-sector demand. Activities with farmers include demonstration plots, inclusive business analysis, investment in equipment, and joint training by public and private partners. Early findings suggest that with Good Agricultural Practices and strong market linkages, soybean farming could increase smallholder net incomes by more than twofold within five years, outperforming traditional beans.
Launched by France under the EU Council Presidency, FARM P3 is active in several African countries, including Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe, where it adapts its model to local agricultural needs. In Rwanda, the initiative represents a significant step toward empowering smallholder farmers, reducing losses, and fostering sustainable partnerships with the private sector.
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