DG Rwandan Agriculture Board visits Wageningen UR and the potato sector in The Netherlands
From 11 – 13 December 2019, the DG of the Rwandan Agriculture Board (RAB) visited the Netherlands for meetings with Wageningen UR on joint research applications and to meet and discuss with the Dutch seed potato sector in an attempt to increase their interest in investing in Rwanda and which steps Rwanda could take to attract more investors in the potato sector.
From 11 – 13 December, DG Patrick Karangwa from RAB visited Wageningen UR and the Dutch potato sector, in a very full but most interesting program.
Visit Wageningen UR
On Wednesday morning, shortly after arriving at Schiphol Airport the DG started discussions with Wageningen UR on possible collaboration on research. The following research areas were identified as potentially viable for joint applications:
- Increased market access for agricultural and horticultural products, e.g., through better inherent quality characteristics of produce and lower levels of chemical residues.
- Increased yields, through improved soil quality and fertility, crop nutrition, better rotation schemes, IPM, and breeding for local adaptation.
- Crop breeding, in particular modern breeding techniques
- Climate resilience
- Capacity strengthening
- Food systems (WUR takes a systems approach for all problems)
Wageningen UR will continue to develop an action plan for cooperation, which will be further discussed upon early 2020.
Visit Dutch Potato Sector
During visits to breeding companies, Solynta, HZPC and Agrico, two Dutch seed potato farmers and the Dutch Inspection Service NAK, the DG got a good impression of the Dutch seed potato sector, new innovations that are under development and the high quality standards that all players comply with and inspections to guarantee these. During a stakeholder discussion with the Dutch sector, the DG informed the participants on developments in the Rwandan potato sector, the transition from government led growth to private sector led growth and the challenges the sector faces in Rwanda. The agricultural counselor informed the participants on general developments in Rwanda, such as the conference and tourism sector, the deal with Qatar Airways and projects such as Gabiro Irrigated site that provide opportunities for the Dutch sector.
To attract more investors in the seed potato sector the Dutch sector advised to have a clear protocol including costs and timeline for the registration process of new varieties, as well as a good implementation of the Seed law and UPOV membership for breeder’s rights protection. Also the Dutch sector advised to develop a registration system for certified potato seed, so good quality seed can be identified as such by farmers. In the end, the Dutch companies need good partners to work with. The embassy together with the TRAIDE-program will look into potential partners for seed multiplication and develop portfolio for these farms, for potential matchmaking with Dutch partners.
During the visit, DG RAB signed an MOU with Solynta where both parties commit themselves to work together for the further development of True Potato Seed in Rwanda. Solynta has the ambition to release its first variety ever in Rwanda in 2021, and will start performance trials together with RAB in 2020 to achieve this ambition.
