By Bisola Adeyemo
Rwanda Ministry of Agriculture has stated that it is partnering with private sectors to achieve its aim on hydroponic farming.
The Ministry also said it has earmarked 38.1 hectares on which to conduct hydroponic farming by 2024 as it steps up efforts to increase food production.
The ministry, according to News time, has prioritised vegetables, fruits, cassava as well as sweet potatoes as some of the crops to be grown under the hydroponic farming technique.
Charles Bucagu, the Deputy Director-General of Agriculture Research and Technology Transfer at Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board, says that the system is meant for high-value commodities or production of disease-free seeds.
Currently, Rwanda uses nutritive solutions (liquid fertilisers used in hydroponic farming) imported from Kenya.
“We are using hydroponic for potato seed production in our research station in Musanze District,” he said.
Rwanda needs at least Rwf68.5 billion in the next two years or so to invest in hydroponic farming – a practice of growing crops using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil.
The government has also pledged to invest Rwf8.2 billion in research infrastructure by upgrading and constructing greenhouses and hydroponic facilities by 2024.
The soilless system is also already under trial for the production of vegetables and fruits like strawberries in Muhanga District.
“This technology is for commercial farming, requiring intense knowledge-based technology, practical for research and commercial production schemes,” Bucagu said.
He also disclosed that the government has already set up a grant for private players that need to partner with it in the development of hydroponic farming.
“People can write business plans and apply, and eventually would get grants depending on the relevance and how much the project is impactful,” he said.
Government seeks to focus on facilitating private sector investment in fruit and vegetable production through controlling pests and diseases as well as supporting the demonstration of better technologies such as greenhouses, hydroponics, and other small-scale irrigation solutions.
Officials say it requires to support testing hydroponics and private sector providers in extension services.
