Rwanda launches BIO CAP project to curb potato and cassava pests

RWANDA – Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has launched the BIO CAP Project, a national effort aimed at managing pests and plant diseases that affect potatoes and cassava, two crops that play a central role in food supply and farm incomes.

Speaking on national radio, State Minister in charge of Agriculture Dr. Solange Uwituze said farmers continue to face heavy losses due to pest pressure and disease outbreaks. She linked these challenges to uneven harvests and lower yields across producing areas.

“The BIO CAP Project will strengthen farmers’ capacity to prevent and manage crop pests and diseases, ensuring stable harvests and increased productivity,” she said.

The ministry said the project will focus on better on farm practices that help farmers prevent and control pests and diseases during the growing season. Officials chose potatoes and cassava because many households rely on them for food and income. Losses in these crops often affect food availability and farmer earnings at the same time.

Dr. Uwituze said the project fits within wider national plans for agriculture. “She added, the initiative also aligns with Rwanda’s broader goal of promoting sustainable agricultural development across the country,” she said during the broadcast.

According to the ministry, BIO CAP will promote farming practices that manage pests while protecting soil condition and on farm ecosystems. The project will encourage methods that help crops stay healthy throughout the production cycle and limit long term damage to fields.

Capacity building and field use

The ministry expects the project to focus strongly on farmer training and direct use of improved practices at farm level. Officials said this approach will help farmers act early against pests and diseases rather than respond after damage occurs.

By targeting potatoes and cassava, the ministry expects the project to improve production stability at household level and support national food availability. Farmers and sector players have welcomed the launch, saying it addresses problems that many producers face each season.

The BIO CAP Project forms part of Rwanda’s wider efforts to reduce crop losses linked to pests and diseases. Implementation will centre on skills building and practical use in the field, with the aim of helping farmers protect yields more reliably.

In a related move to support food production, the ministry recently confirmed continued public investment in crop health and extension services across major growing zones.

Officials said the government has set aside funds to expand farmer training and field support, though the ministry did not disclose the total budget in Rwanda francs or its equivalent in US dollars.

The ministry said these actions show a clear focus on keeping staple crop production steady and reducing risks that farmers face each season.

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