From February 3 to 6, 2026, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) conducted a harvesting exercise of improved potato varieties—Ndamira (also known as Shangi) and Victoria—to assess their yield performance and resistance to late blight disease.

The exercise was carried out at multiple sites, including Kitabi in Nyamagabe District (Southern Province); Musanze District and Rwerere in Burera District (Northern Province); and Tamira in Rubavu District (Western Province).

RAB officials, development partners, and farmers who attended the exercise commended the varieties for their high yields and strong resistance to late blight disease, a major challenge that has historically caused significant losses in potato production.

The improved potato varieties under trial were developed through the Rwanda Agri-Biotech Programme, which is co-implemented by RAB in partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and other partners. The programme is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gates Philanthropic Partners for a period of five years, starting in October 2021, and focuses on key crops including maize, potato, and cassava.