Muhanga, Rwanda | 16 September 2026

Efforts to strengthen Rwanda’s cassava seed system received renewed momentum on 16 September 2026 as multipliers of quality cassava planting materials from different multiplication stages came together at Hotel Lucerna in Muhanga District, Southern Province, for a day of coordination, knowledge sharing and market linkage development.

The meeting brought together multipliers working at the early stages of cassava planting material multiplication and their counterparts involved in advanced multiplication stages. The engagement provided an important platform for participants to exchange experiences, strengthen coordination across the multiplication chain and discuss practical approaches to ensuring that quality planting materials move efficiently from one stage to the next.

A well-functioning cassava seed system depends not only on the availability of quality planting materials but also on effective coordination among the different actors involved in their production, multiplication, distribution and use. Bringing multipliers together therefore provides an opportunity to strengthen collaboration, address challenges along the supply chain and promote a more reliable flow of quality planting materials to farmers.

During the meeting, participants shared experiences from their respective multiplication activities and discussed ways of improving collaboration between early-stage and advanced-stage multipliers. The knowledge-sharing component also created an opportunity to identify practical lessons that can contribute to improving the quality, availability and timely multiplication of cassava planting materials.

Connecting Quality Planting Materials to the Market

Beyond coordination and knowledge sharing, the meeting placed a strong emphasis on market linkages. Multipliers with planting materials ready for distribution to farmers were connected with potential cassava seed buyers to explore opportunities for collaboration and establish stronger relationships between supply and demand.

This engagement is particularly important because producing quality planting materials is only one part of building a sustainable cassava seed system. Effective market connections are equally essential to ensure that planting materials reach farmers in a timely manner and that multipliers have access to reliable markets for their products.

By bringing multipliers and buyers together, the meeting created space for direct discussions on potential business relationships, market opportunities and ways of strengthening linkages between producers and buyers. Such connections can contribute to a more demand-driven cassava seed system in which multiplication is increasingly aligned with farmers’ needs and market requirements.

The engagement also highlighted the importance of collaboration among actors across the cassava value chain. Stronger relationships between multipliers, buyers and farmers can help improve access to quality planting materials while creating opportunities for multipliers to develop sustainable enterprises around cassava seed production.

Building a More Sustainable Cassava Seed System

The discussions in Muhanga demonstrate the importance of taking a coordinated approach to cassava planting material multiplication. When actors at different stages of the multiplication chain work together, knowledge and experience can be shared more effectively, challenges can be addressed collectively and opportunities can be identified across the supply chain.

For farmers, stronger coordination among multipliers can contribute to improved access to quality planting materials. For multipliers, stronger market linkages can create opportunities to expand their businesses and respond more effectively to demand. For buyers, direct engagement with multipliers can improve access to planting materials and strengthen relationships with suppliers.

The meeting therefore represented more than a knowledge-sharing event. It was an opportunity to strengthen the connections that underpin a functional and sustainable cassava seed system—from early multiplication to advanced multiplication, and ultimately from multipliers to farmers.

As Rwanda continues to promote agricultural productivity, commercialization and improved access to quality planting materials, strengthening seed systems remains critical. Continued collaboration, knowledge exchange and market-oriented approaches can help ensure that quality cassava planting materials are available when and where farmers need them.

The engagement at Hotel Lucerna provided a practical platform for these efforts, bringing together key actors to strengthen coordination, explore business opportunities and contribute to a more connected cassava planting material supply chain.

Through continued collaboration among multipliers, buyers and other stakeholders, Rwanda can further strengthen the foundation for increased availability and accessibility of quality cassava planting materials, supporting farmers to improve productivity and build more resilient agricultural enterprises.