IITA showcase innovative solutions at Rwanda’s national agricultural exhibition

2 August 2025

The CGIAR booth at the Agrishow in Rwanda.
The CGIAR booth at the Agrishow in Rwanda.

Since 2007, Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has hosted the agricultural exhibition, widely known as the Agrishow. The event brings together many stakeholders, including farmers, youth, development partners, research institutions, and private sector actors, working to advance Rwanda’s agricultural development through innovation, knowledge exchange, and capacity building.

IITA Rwanda and other CGIAR centers in Rwanda have actively participated in this crucial event to showcase the innovative interventions IITA introduced that impact Rwanda’s agricultural transformation.

Agrishow 2025 took place from 18 to 27 June and provided a critical platform for agricultural technology developers, service providers, and farmers to present solutions that directly address the key challenges faced by Rwanda’s food systems. These challenges include low agricultural productivity, malnutrition, and the increasing impacts of climate change. The exhibition aimed to strengthen food security and promote sustainable farming practices by focusing on practical and scalable innovations.

Visitors at the IITA exhibition stand during the Agrishow.
Visitors at the IITA exhibition stand during the Agrishow.

IITA and other CGIAR centers showcased various innovations developed through partnerships with local partners and NARS. Among the technologies were cassava peel flour for animal feed, a cost-effective and nutritious alternative derived from cassava processing by-products that support sustainable livestock production and circular agriculture. IITA also showcased technologies designed to enhance the seed systems of food security crops, including biofortified high-iron beans, potatoes, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes, and maize. These varieties aim to improve nutritional outcomes through enhanced seed varieties accessible to farmers.

“I was impressed by the cassava peel flour technology. Finding affordable and nutritious food is a constant struggle as a livestock farmer. This innovation gives me hope that we can improve our production without increasing costs,” said Joseph Iyakaremye, a farmer who visited the stand.

IITA remains committed to supporting Rwanda’s agricultural transformation agenda by continuing to develop and deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that empower farmers, improve nutrition, and build resilience against climate change. As Rwanda progresses, platforms like Agrishow will be essential in fostering innovation, strengthening collaboration, and driving inclusive growth within the agricultural sector.

Contributed by Ritha Bumwe