On 21 January 2026, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) started field trials of 12 biotech maize varieties at the Bugarama site in Rusizi District, Western Province of Rwanda.

The Bugarama site biotech maize trial is the first of five trials expected to be established in Season 2026 B across five sites—Rubona, Karama, Cyabayaga, Bugarama, and Musanze— under two conditions: controlled fall armyworm infestation and uncontrolled fall armyworm infestation, resulting in 10 trial environments in total.

These improved maize varieties are designed to withstand devastating insect pests and diseases, particularly fall armyworm, and are expected to provide Rwandan farmers with access to more resilient and productive planting materials.

The seeds were developed under the Rwanda Agri-Biotech Programme, which aims to enhance agricultural productivity by delivering improved crop varieties resistant to major pests and diseases.

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.