Rwanda: Looming El Niño Rains Trigger Call for Conservation Agriculture

What the report says

Rwandan authorities are urging wider use of conservation agriculture as the country prepares for a heavy September-to-December rainy season linked to El Niño. The New Times reported that farmers are expected to apply soil-conserving practices on 100,000 hectares during the 2027A agricultural season, part of a larger plan to strengthen resilience to flooding, erosion and crop damage.

The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board said the country is expected to cultivate about 765,000 hectares in the season, with special attention on maize, beans, rice and soybeans. Officials said conservation agriculture, which includes minimum tillage, mulching and keeping soil covered, can help protect moisture and reduce runoff. They also noted that the approach was tested through research and will require more specialized machinery as it expands.

The article also highlighted the role of women farmers and cooperatives in climate adaptation. One example was a women-led cooperative in Ngoma District that has built terraces, used mulching and adopted reduced-tillage methods, with training support and access to solar-powered irrigation. More broadly, the piece said Rwanda’s climate-smart agriculture plans aim to improve resilience, productivity and access to financing for farmers and companies, while encouraging gender-responsive support so women can benefit from new techniques and services.

The reporting appears against the backdrop of recurring climate pressures in Rwanda and other parts of East Africa, where seasonal rainfall swings can disrupt planting and harvests.