19th Rwanda Agricultural Show Concludes with Record Participation and Recognition of Agricultural Innovation

The 19th Rwanda Agricultural Show officially closed on Friday, 31 July 2026, at the Mulindi Show Ground in Gasabo District, Kigali City, marking another successful edition of Rwanda's premier agricultural exhibition.

Held under the theme "Accelerating Agri-food Systems Transformation through Innovation and Strategic Partnerships," this year's exhibition attracted more than 600 exhibitors, a significant increase from 530 exhibitors in 2025 and around 300–400 exhibitors in previous editions, reflecting the growing interest in Rwanda's agriculture sector.

The annual exhibition continued to serve as a strategic platform for farmers, agribusinesses, researchers, development partners, financial institutions, innovators, and other stakeholders to showcase technologies, products, services, and innovations aimed at accelerating the transformation of Rwanda's agriculture and agri-food systems.

Speaking at the Official Closing Ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Telesphore Ndabamenye, emphasized that the Rwanda Agricultural Show is a unique platform that brings together practical solutions to challenges facing the agriculture sector, accelerates the adoption of technologies and innovations, and strengthens collaboration among stakeholders.

He urged farmers and all stakeholders to put into practice the knowledge and skills gained during the exhibition, noting that its true impact will be measured by increased productivity and accelerated agricultural transformation.

As part of the closing ceremony, the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) recognized exhibitors for their outstanding contributions to Rwanda's agricultural transformation.

All exhibitors received certificates of participation in recognition of their contribution to advancing Rwanda's agriculture and agri-food systems.

Outstanding exhibitors, innovators, and organizations were further recognized through special awards based on excellence, innovation, impact, product quality, and their contribution to agricultural transformation and sustainable agri-food systems development.

The winners included:

• Best Exhibitor in Primary Production (Crops): KOTUARU, recognized for its innovative cassava production using the Zai Pit technique. 

• Best Exhibitor in Primary Production (Animal Resources): Kivu Choice Ltd, recognized for reducing fish imports through local production, creating employment opportunities for more than 600 youth and women, contributing to food and nutrition security, and showcasing high-quality fresh fish at the exhibition. 

• Best Exhibitor in Agro-processing (Crops): Umwiza Bakery, recognized for producing doughnuts, pancakes, and bread made from Irish potatoes and sweet potatoes. 

• Best Exhibitor in Agro-processing (Animal Resources): Agiragitereka Rubavu, recognized for its milk and dairy products. 

• Best Exhibitor in Irrigation: BIRW Investment Ltd, recognized for its smart, easy-to-operate irrigation technologies powered by solar energy or petrol/diesel, suitable for both small- and large-scale farming. 

• Best Exhibitor in Mechanization: GIT Ltd, recognized for its post-harvest equipment. 

• Best Exhibitor in Research (Crop and Livestock): University of Rwanda – College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS), recognized for producing high-quality research outputs, commercializing innovations, and implementing impactful outreach programmes. 

• Best Exhibitor in Inputs Supply and Demonstration Plots (Crops): Rwanda Fertilizer Company, recognized for producing customized fertilizers with a production capacity of 100,000 metric tons per year. 

• Best Exhibitor in Inputs Supply and Demonstration Plots (Animal Resources): KT HUB Ltd, recognized for supplying modern animal production and reproduction equipment, as well as veterinary medicines. 

In special recognition of youth and women championing agricultural transformation through innovation, RWF 22 million in cash prizes was awarded to support the expansion of their businesses and the scaling up of their innovations.

Women Category

• Best Exhibitor: DAVET: Rabbit farming (RWF 5 million) 

• 1st Runner-up: SECULA Ltd: Production of pineapple juice, wine, and hibiscus juice (RWF 4 million) 

• 2nd Runner-up: Nsabimana Chantal: Honey production (RWF 2 million) 

Youth Category

• Best Exhibitor: Amazing Insects: Vermicompost and Black Soldier Fly production (RWF 5 million) 

• 1st Runner-up: Youth Huza: Connecting horticulture farmers to markets through digital platforms (RWF 4 million) 

• 2nd Runner-up: SBG Ltd: Peanut butter production (RWF 2 million) 

The Rwanda Agricultural Show was first launched in July 2003 by President Paul Kagame and has since grown into one of the country's most significant platforms for promoting agricultural innovation, investment, and partnerships. This year's 19th edition attracted more than 53,000 visitors over the ten-day exhibition, held from 22 to 31 July 2026.

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