The Rwandan government announced new measures Wednesday to prevent post-harvest losses of maize after a recent audit revealed widespread inefficiencies in storage and drying facilities.
Speaking before Parliament’s Committee on Land, Agriculture, Livestock and Environment, Dr. Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director-General in Charge of Animal Resources, Research and Technology Transfer at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), said many government-funded maize storage sites remain unused or poorly located, forcing farmers to dry crops at home. This practice, she said, has contributed to loss of quality and spoilage during harvest.
The remarks came during a review of the Auditor General report that highlighted gaps in handling, storage, and market linkages for maize and rice. Lawmakers said these shortcomings resulted in inefficient use of public funds and preventable crop losses.
“Some drying shelters are too small, poorly built, or located far from the farms,” said MP Egide Nkuranga. “We need actionable strategies to ensure that government investments actually benefit farmers.”
Uwituze said the government will tackle the problem through the Food Basket Program, which will construct new, modern drying and storage facilities. The program also includes training for farmers on professional post-harvest handling, aiming to improve food security and market access.
“We have agreed with the Rwanda Housing Authority to build durable, standard-compliant facilities,” Uwituze said. “RAB will supervise both construction and usage under new regulations.”
Dr. Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, said new guidelines will reinforce supervision during harvest periods, with agronomists helping farmers process and store maize safely.
“The goal is to ensure maize is properly dried and delivered to designated centers, minimizing loss and maintaining quality,” Kamana said.
The move comes amid growing concern over post-harvest waste, which experts say threatens Rwanda’s progress toward food self-sufficiency and agricultural modernization. Lawmakers welcomed the initiative, noting it signals a commitment to both accountability and long-term food security.
