The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the University of Rwanda (UR), and the École Supérieure d’Agro-Développement International (ISTOM), graduated 100 Farmer Field School (FFS) Facilitators at a ceremony held on 30 December 2025 at the Mulindi Expo Ground in Kigali.

The graduation marked the successful completion of the four-year European Union–funded project titled “Capacity Development for Innovation in Rwanda: Strengthening Innovation Partnerships in Six Districts,” implemented from 2021 to 2025 in Burera, Rutsiro, Gatsibo, Nyagatare, Bugesera, and Ruhango districts. The project aimed to strengthen agricultural innovation partnerships, promote climate-smart agriculture, and enhance sustainable and resilient agricultural systems across Rwanda.

Under RAB’s leadership, the project focused on the participatory evaluation and dissemination of improved crop varieties, livestock breeds, feeds, and best practices through the Farmer Field School approach. As a result, farmers adopted high-performing and climate-resilient crop varieties, improved fertilizer regimes, advanced livestock breeding and health practices, and innovative feeding solutions, contributing to increased productivity, improved food security, and higher household incomes.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Dr Solange Uwituze, Minister of State at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, urged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired to support farmers in adopting improved agricultural practices, increasing productivity, and enhancing food security, thereby enabling them to transform their livelihoods and contribute to economic growth.

Through a rigorous and participatory training process, RAB trained and mentored FFS Master Trainers and Facilitators who worked directly with farmer groups in their communities. From an initial pool of over 200 facilitators, 100 highly committed and competent FFS Facilitators and Master Trainers qualified for graduation after demonstrating strong technical skills, effective facilitation, and sustained engagement with farmers.

The graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of the graduates, recognized their contribution to agricultural transformation, and provided a platform for sharing lessons learned and best practices. Following graduation, the FFS Facilitators will continue to support farmers in adopting improved and climate-smart agricultural practices, contributing to national food security, sustainable agriculture, and the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 2, which aims to end hunger and promote sustainable agriculture in Rwanda.