Rwandan coffee farmers to receive 50 percent fertiliser subsidy

KIGALI, July 16, 2025 –– Rwandan coffee farmers will benefit from a 50 percent subsidy on fertiliser starting in September, following an agreement signed on  July 9 between the National Agricultural Export Development Board [NAEB], the Coffee Exporters and Processors Association of Rwanda [CEPAR], and One Acre Fund–Tubura.

The subsidy aims to boost yields and improve the quality of Rwanda’s coffee exports. Under the new arrangement, farmers will pay Rwf 796 for a unit of fertiliser, while the remaining Rwf 796 will be covered jointly by NAEB and CEPAR.

The fertiliser in question – NPK 22-6-12+35 – will be distributed by One Acre Fund–Tubura beginning with the 2026A agricultural season, which commences in September 2025. The initiative marks a major step in supporting smallholder coffee farmers to prepare their fields in a timely manner and enhance productivity.

Coffee plants in the country typically flower in September and October, with harvesting taking place between March and July, when the coffee cherries mature.

NAEB Director General Claude Bizimana said the programme is intended to ensure that farmers can access the appropriate fertiliser both affordably and efficiently. Farmers are encouraged to plan ahead and coordinate with coffee processors and One Acre Fund–Tubura field agents to secure their supplies on time.

“This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and development partners,” Bizimana said.

Since 2012, NAEB has distributed fertiliser to coffee farmers free of charge. However, the quantity provided has consistently met only half – or less – of the amount required for a single application. This shortfall prompted the government to transition to a cost-sharing model, enabling farmers to purchase and apply the quantity of fertiliser they need, at the right time, and from suppliers closer to home.

Coffee plays a vital role in Rwanda’s economy, contributing significantly to foreign exchange earnings and the monetisation of rural livelihoods.

In 2023, Rwanda ranked as the world’s 39th largest coffee exporter, with exports valued at $89.3 million, according to the Observatory of Economic Complexity. Coffee was the country’s third most exported product that year.

https://thecooperator.news/rwandas-best-fairtrade-coffee-recognised/

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