By Brandon Moss 

At the base of Musanze’s volcanic highlands, a quiet but consequential shift is underway. Across Rwanda, a new generation of young agripreneurs is reimagining agriculture—not as a subsistence activity, but as a technology-enabled engine for growth, resilience, and climate adaptation. By fusing data, sustainability, and entrepreneurship, they are redefining how food is produced while safeguarding the country’s long-term food security.

Agriculture remains the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, employing roughly 43% of the workforce and contributing close to a quarter of GDP. Yet the sector is increasingly exposed to climate stress. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and soil degradation are putting pressure on yields and rural livelihoods. Against this backdrop, Rwanda’s youth are demonstrating that climate-smart agriculture is no longer theoretical—it is already taking root on farms and in communities.

From conventional fields to smart farms

In Musanze District, Shimo Yvette Umurerwa, founder and managing director of Farmiza Limited, represents a new wave of purpose-driven agripreneurs. Her enterprise produces Irish potatoes, broccoli, and beetroots using organic and climate-conscious methods that prioritise long-term soil health and resource efficiency.

“Young people are the drivers of change,” she says. “Technology is transforming agriculture, and much of that innovation is coming from youth.”

Farmiza deploys precision irrigation systems that deliver water based on actual crop needs, a significant departure from traditional blanket irrigation. The company also champions organic fertilisers and natural pest control, working closely with surrounding farmers to reduce chemical dependence and rebuild soil fertility.

For Shimo Yvette, transformation begins at community level. She trains neighbouring farmers to produce organic compost, promotes solar-powered irrigation, encourages indigenous tree planting, and supports terracing to curb erosion. “These may seem like small actions,” she notes, “but together they protect the environment and sustain productivity over time.”

Her advice to aspiring agripreneurs is practical and grounded: start small, leverage available resources, and stay consistent. “Capital helps, but vision, discipline, and passion matter more in the beginning.”

Turning challenges into enterprises

Several hundred kilometres away, Munyemana Jean Pierre is translating agricultural challenges into scalable business opportunities. As CEO of Egera Umuhinzi Initiative, he combines agronomy, entrepreneurship, and community mobilisation to support smallholder farmers.

While working as an agronomist in Rutsiro District, he encountered familiar constraints—limited access to quality inputs, weak market linkages, and insufficient technical support. “I kept asking how a young agronomist like myself could make a real difference,” he explains. “That’s when Egera Umuhinzi was born—to collect farmers’ problems and convert them into viable, sustainable solutions.”

Today, the initiative has incubated three youth-led enterprises spanning mushroom production, piggery, and fruit propagation. Together, they employ more than 200 people on a permanent and casual basis.

“This is not just about jobs,” Jean Pierre says. “It’s about livelihoods. When people earn consistently, they can educate their children, meet household needs, and plan for the future.”

The mushroom enterprise alone produces around 200 kilograms per month and is expanding into value-added products such as mushroom chips and seed tubes for other growers. What began with start-up capital of just Rwf 100,000 has evolved into a multi-stream operation generating several hundred thousand francs in monthly revenue.

Changing perceptions, mobilising youth

Beyond production, Jean Pierre is also challenging how young Rwandans view agriculture. Through social media—where he is widely known as “agronomme”—he shares technical knowledge, market insights, and real-world success stories.

His message is direct: opportunities exist, but they are time-bound. “Too many young people are passive,” he argues. “They scroll past opportunities instead of acting on them. Agriculture rewards those who move early and stay committed.”

Building climate resilience from the ground up

What unites enterprises like Farmiza and Egera Umuhinzi Initiative is a shared vision of agriculture that is smarter, cleaner, and more inclusive. Their work aligns with Rwanda’s broader transition toward climate-smart agriculture—integrating innovation, technology, and sustainability across value chains.

Their success also underscores the central role of youth leadership and private initiative in scaling climate resilience nationwide. As Shimo Yvette puts it, “Young people have the energy and ideas to fight hunger, secure food systems, and protect the future.”

Strengthening skills through agricultural TVET

While youth-led enterprises are driving change from the ground up, the public sector is reinforcing the ecosystem from the top down. The Rwanda TVET Board, supported by €30 million (approximately Rwf 47 billion) from Luxembourg, is rolling out agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres of excellence, including a flagship facility in Busogo Sector, Musanze District.

These centres aim to equip young people and farmers with modern, production-linked skills in agriculture and agro-processing. Part of a national plan to establish 30 centres of excellence, the initiative is designed to boost productivity, create employment, and anchor sustainable agricultural value chains.

The road ahead

As Rwanda accelerates toward a greener and more digital economy, its young agripreneurs are redefining what farming represents. They see opportunity in degraded soils, innovation in renewable energy, and resilience in sustainable practices.

Their progress confirms that climate-smart agriculture is not merely a policy objective—it is an active movement driven by creativity, technology, and resolve. And as these enterprises grow, so too does a compelling vision: a Rwanda where young people are not only cultivating crops, but deliberately shaping the future of food and agriculture.