Agriculture
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Overview
Agriculture is a major economic sector for the people of Rwanda, employing about 70% of the total population. The industry contributes about 31% to GDP, and it stands out as one of the most strategic sectors in Rwanda’s development. It accounts for a more significant part of the foreign exchange earnings from the exports of products, including; coffee, tea, hides and skins, pyrethrum, and horticulture. 75% of Rwanda’s agricultural production comes from smallholder farmers.Rwanda’s principal crops include coffee, pyrethrum, tea, flowers, beans, cassava banana, Irish potatoes, rice, wheat, sugarcane, among others. About 61% of Rwandan soil is suitable for agriculture as the soils are fertile. The Government of Rwanda is tangibly committed to boosting the development of the country’s agri-sector. It has invested considerably in infrastructure, responsive institutions, inclusive markets, and innovation &extension while creating an enabling environment for private sector investment. Meanwhile, investment opportunities exist in the following: Dairy, Poultry, Meat processing, Horticulture, Aquaculture, Mechanization, crop sourcing, blockchain, Agro-tourism, manufacturing of irrigation equipment, and cold chain logistics.
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Investment Opportunities
FOOD PROCESSING:
For domestic and international markets. staple foods with significant potential for growth include beans, rice, maize and potatoes.
HORTICULTURE:
In the bid to boost the country’s exports, Rwanda presents enormous opportunities in the highly competitive commodities such as; French beans, peas, horticulture specialties – baby corn, chilli, mini leek, African eggplants, mushrooms and herbs – Exotic fruits growing, especially apples, bananas, passion fruits, avocados, as well as flower growing.
VALUE ADDITION:
Washing and roasting opportunities as premium
coffee harvests grow.MECHANIZATION OPPORTUNITIES:
Irrigation and sale of agricultural equipment for large- scale farming.
DISTRIBUTION AND COLD CHAIN:
Need for improved infrastructure for export products.
POULTRY:
Large-scale farms, slaughter houses and export of meat and feed mills
BEEF FARMING:
For meat exports
MILK PROCESSING:
Cold chain, processing of UHT milk, yoghurt, cheese, butter etc
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Incentives for investors in the sector
Fiscal incentives offered:
- Duty-free importation of all inputs
- Tax exemption for agriculture equipment
- 50% reduction in corporate income tax, if you are a registered investor exporting 50% of the turnover of products produced in Rwanda
- 7-year tax holiday for export-oriented registered investment projects
Non-fiscal incentives:
- One-stop center facilitation to registered investors
- Aftercare services with a focal point person following up on your project
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Contact Us
For any further details/information you may require, please contact:
Alice NIKUZE
Export Marketing Analyst
Email: alice.nikuze@rdb.rw
Telephone: +250 788 896 510