Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Thelesphore Ndabamenye, has urged the need for policy reforms and faster adoption of solar-powered technologies to make agriculture more efficient, affordable, and resilient.
He made the call on Monday, May 4, 2026, while attending a high-level conference organised by the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in Kampala, Uganda, focused on the use of solar energy in agriculture.
Discussions at the forum highlighted solar energy as a sustainable solution to key challenges in agriculture, including irrigation, post-harvest handling, and losses caused by unreliable electricity supply.
The meeting brought together ministers, researchers, and investors from across Africa, including Ethiopia, Senegal, Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda, to explore scalable clean energy solutions for the sector.
Ndabamenye noted that Rwanda is prioritising climate-smart technologies to boost agricultural productivity while enabling smallholder farmers to sustain production throughout the year.
He pointed to ongoing initiatives supporting farmers to cope with drought through solar-powered irrigation systems, which are increasingly being deployed across the country.
The efforts align with Rwanda’s target to expand irrigated land using solar energy, with plans to reach 1,146 hectares by 2029.
Several projects are already underway, integrating solar energy into irrigation systems to improve yields while promoting environmental sustainability.
In Musaza Sector, a solar-powered smart irrigation system covering 120 hectares has helped farmers maintain stable production despite recurring dry spells.
Officials say scaling up such innovations will be critical to strengthening food security and building climate resilience in Rwanda’s agriculture sector.
