Huye, Rwanda – October 17, 2025. The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in partnership with One Acre Fund Rwanda, has graduated the country’s first cohort of the Agriculture Extension Certification Training Program. This intensive twelve-day course marks a major milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to modernize and professionalize its agricultural extension system.

The inaugural cohort comprises 55 sector agronomists and Farmer Promoters from four priority food basket zones — Kirehe, Rwamagana, Kamonyi, and Huye. Hosted at RAB’s Rubona Station in Huye District, the training aimed to strengthen a coordinated, farmer-centered, and market-responsive extension system aligned with the evolving needs of Rwanda’s agriculture sector.

Over the past decade, Rwanda has achieved remarkable progress through the Twigire Muhinzi model, a collaborative effort led by RAB, One Acre Fund, and other sector partners. The model has supported over two million farmers through peer-to-peer learning and field-based advisory services. Since 2015, it has trained more than 14,000 Farmer Promoters, expanding nationwide extension coverage by over 400 percent. It now serves as a cornerstone of Rwanda’s agricultural transformation strategy.

Despite this progress, the current extension system continues to face challenges. More than 21 institutions are implementing over 200 separate initiatives, often with limited coordination. Many frontline agents still lack adequate tools, knowledge, and incentives to perform effectively. Furthermore, private sector participation remains low, limiting innovation, sustainability, and support for climate adaptation and market access.

To address these gaps, RAB and its partners — including One Acre Fund — are co-developing the Extension Center of Excellence, a national platform designed to provide standardized training and certification, foster private-sector engagement, and align research and policy efforts. The center will help build a more resilient, coordinated, and self-sustaining extension system that delivers tangible value to farmers.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dr. Florence Uwamahoro, Deputy Director General for Agriculture Development at RAB, urged the graduands to apply the knowledge and skills gained to inspire fellow farmers to adopt improved agronomic practices, thereby driving the country’s agricultural transformation.

Belinda Bwiza, Chief Executive Officer of One Acre Fund Rwanda, emphasized the long-term vision of the initiative, noting that it aims not only to enhance service delivery but also to open new career pathways for youth and women in agriculture. “This program lays the foundation for an extension system that is responsive, inclusive, and future-ready. It creates certified career opportunities for the next generation of agriculture professionals and ensures that farmers receive timely, practical, and climate-smart support,” she said.

This training reflects the shared commitment of RAB and One Acre Fund to develop a modern extension workforce that boosts productivity, enhances resilience, and contributes directly to achieving Rwanda’s Vision 2030.

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