Traditional Export Crops Program
Historically, coffee and tea have been and continue to be major sources of export income in Rwanda, accounting for approximately 10% of the country’s total export earnings and more than 80% of agricultural export revenues.
The Traditional Export Crops Program is mandated to conduct research and implement technology transfer initiatives aimed at increasing crop productivity, ensuring sustainability of coffee and tea supply chains, improving farmers’ livelihoods, and enhancing the contribution of agricultural commodities to national export earnings.
The program focuses on the development and dissemination of market-driven coffee and tea varieties that combine high yield potential, superior quality attributes, and preferences of both farmers and consumers. It also undertakes regular surveillance and monitoring of major pests and diseases and develops sustainable management strategies through approaches such as plant clinic models.
In fulfilling its mandate, the program develops integrated soil fertility management strategies through soil clinics and supports the strengthening of the coffee and tea seed sector through foundation seed production, distribution, and capacity-building initiatives for private seed multipliers.
The program further promotes climate change adaptation and resilience within coffee and tea farming systems by integrating climate-smart agricultural practices and proximity extension services to sustain the future of the coffee and tea supply chains. Additionally, it enhances technology dissemination and farmer outreach through the development of extension materials, radio programs, documentaries, and farmer training sessions.