Rwanda's tomato exports for the fiscal year 2023-2024 reached 13.7 million kilograms, generating an impressive revenue of $13.8 million, according to the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB).
Jean Bosco Mulindi, Emerging Commodities Division Manager at NAEB, attributes tomato production to improved agricultural practices and investment in the horticulture sector, such as greenhouse farming, modern irrigation systems, and farmer cooperatives.
"The government developed various irrigation systems to expand irrigated areas. For instance, from 2022 to 2023, we irrigated 1,784 hectares, and this increased to 2,552 hectares this year," he explained, adding that this led to improved extension services to assist farmers in enhancing productivity and the quality of exported products.
The growth in tomato exports reflects the pace at which Rwanda's horticulture sector has evolved, thanks to improved agricultural practices, including the adoption of greenhouse farming and modern irrigation systems.
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