Rwanda unveils plan to rejuvenate 4,132 hectares of aging coffee plantations by 2028
RWANDA – The Rwandan government has launched an ambitious initiative to rejuvenate 4,132 hectares of aging coffee plantations by 2028, a move aimed at revitalizing the country’s coffee sector.
The project, led by the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), will replace 3,050 hectares of coffee trees over 30 years old and rehabilitate an additional 1,082 hectares.
Known as the ‘Promoting Smallholder Agro-Export Competitiveness’ (PSAC) project, the initiative will target six key coffee-growing districts: Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Karongi, Huye, Nyamagabe, and Ruhango.
These districts collectively contain more than 40% of Rwanda’s aging coffee trees, making them central to the rejuvenation effort.
NAEB CEO Claude Bizimana stated that the project, running from 2024 to 2028, will replace 543 hectares and rehabilitate 100 hectares in its first year alone.
To support this effort, NAEB is preparing approximately 1.56 million coffee seedlings for distribution to ensure each district meets its rejuvenation targets.
Among the six districts, Nyamasheke has the largest share of land designated for rehabilitation and replacement.
The district will replace 1,107 hectares with high-yielding coffee varieties such as RAB C15 and rehabilitate an additional 393 hectares. The goal is to increase yields to 7-8 kilograms per tree, significantly boosting productivity.
“Our district has a long history of coffee farming, but aging plantations have led to declining yields and increased susceptibility to diseases. This initiative will enhance productivity and improve farmers’ livelihoods,” said Joseph Désiré Muhayeyezu, Vice Mayor of Nyamasheke in charge of Economic Development.
To guide the project and future interventions, NAEB will conduct a nationwide coffee tree census starting February 27.
The 60-day exercise will employ Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and drone technology to assess the number, age, and distribution of coffee trees. Field surveys and farmer interviews will also be conducted to gather data on production capacity and farming conditions.
“The census will provide accurate data to inform decision-making and policy formulation, ensuring the sustainability and growth of Rwanda’s coffee sector,” Bizimana explained.
Coffee is a key pillar of Rwanda’s economy, generating US$530 million in foreign exchange earnings from 97,123 tonnes of processed coffee exports over the past seven years.
Under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), Rwanda aims to export over 140,000 metric tons of coffee, generating more than US$529.5 million in revenue.
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