The 19th edition of the Rwanda Agriculture and Livestock Exhibition (AgriShow 2026) officially wrapped up at the Mulindi Showground, bringing ten days of trade, technology sharing, and live demonstrations to a close.
Running under the theme “Accelerating Agri-Food Systems Transformation through Innovation and Strategic Partnerships,” this year’s exhibition drew over 600 local and international exhibitors.
Beyond showcasing the latest in farm machinery and organic inputs, organizers the Ministry of Agriculture awarded RWF 22 million in seed capital grants to youth and women innovators driving Rwanda’s agricultural transition.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye emphasized that the showcase must translate into tangible gains in farm yields across the country. “The true success of this exhibition will be measured by how quickly the innovations showcased here are adopted to increase agricultural productivity, improve livestock production, and contribute to Rwanda’s overall economic development,” Dr. Ndabamenye noted.
He urged farmers, private sector actors, and development partners to start putting these tools into practice immediately, particularly with the Season A 2027 planting season on the horizon.
“Government institutions, the private sector, civil society, and development partners must not let the opportunities created by this exhibition go to waste. We have seen remarkable innovations in agricultural processing, livestock technologies, youth- and women-led enterprises, and investment solutions that will help modernize the sector,” he added.
Dr. Ndabamenye also congratulated the award recipients while reassuring those who went home empty-handed: “Receiving an award today is an achievement, but it should also remind us that the journey is far from over. Those who did not receive awards should not be discouraged—use this as an opportunity to improve so you can be recognized next year.”
Among the standout displays at this year’s show was Vision Agribusiness Farm, a Gicumbi-based enterprise that took second place in the Livestock & Aquaculture category. Founded by Jean Claude Shirimpumu, a former civil servant who left his government job to pursue full-time farming in 2008—the farm has evolved into a national training hub and elite breeding center.
Shirimpumu showcased a massive Cambra boar weighing over 500 kilograms. Imported to boost local genetics, the single boar has already yielded more than 3,120 doses of high-quality semen for pig farmers across Rwanda.
To deliver those doses safely and fast, Shirimpumu’s center partnered with MINAGRI and logistics company Zipline to dispatch artificial insemination (AI) kits via autonomous drones.
“We are moving away from traditional, natural mating methods where carrying boars from one farm to another caused extreme stress and spread diseases,” explained Alexis Ndayambaje, an AI and swine nutrition technician at the farm. “Today, we maintain high-yielding, fast-growing boars at our central facility. When a farmer anywhere in the country needs a dose, a drone delivers it within minutes.”
Ndayambaje added that the farm also utilizes specialized ultrasound and monitoring tools to track pig pregnancies through to farrowing, significantly lowering piglet mortality rates.
Having exhibited at AgriShow 14 times since 2012, Shirimpumu offered a practical suggestion for future editions:
“The scale and interest from the public have grown tremendously,” Shirimpumu said. “We should consider organizing sector-specific mini-exhibitions throughout the year, one week dedicated entirely to pig farming, another to banana value chains, leading up to the main national show in July or August. That would give farmers and investors focused time without distractions.”
The closing ceremony recognized top performers across multiple categories, with special seed capital grants handed out to youth and women-led enterprises to help scale their operations:
All participating exhibitors were awarded certificates of recognition by MINAGRI and the Private Sector Federation (PSF).
The winners
– Youth and Women Innovation: Amazing Insects Ltd (Gasabo District) claimed the top award of RWF 5m for its circular economy model, converting urban food market waste into high-protein animal feed and organic vermicompost.
– Crop Production: KOTUARU Cooperative (Burera District) received RWF 5m for scaling the climate-smart “Zaï pit” technique, a traditional rainwater harvesting method used to restore degraded topsoil for cassava farming.
– Agro-Processing: Umwiza Bakery (Kicukiro District) won RWF 5m for producing commercial bread and pastries fortified with locally grown orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
– Livestock and Aquaculture: Kivu Choice Ltd (Nyamasheke District) received RWF 5m for its commercial tilapia farming operation along Lake Kivu, which currently employs more than 600 women and young people.
– Livestock Production Runner-Up: Vision Agribusiness Farm (Gicumbi District) earned recognition for high-efficiency pig breeding, drone-assisted artificial insemination delivery, and farmer training.
– Dairy and Livestock Value Addition: AGIRAGITEREKA (Rubavu District) took first place for dairy processing, while the Akagera Beekeepers Union (Kayonza District) finished second for organic honey processing and bee product innovation.
– Agro-Processing Runner-Up: Nezerwa Plus Ltd (Muhanga District) was recognized for local value addition in processing natural pineapple and papaya juices.
