The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) from February 3 to 6, 2026, conducted a harvesting exercise for improved potato varieties, Ndamira (Shangi) and Victoria, to evaluate their yield performance and resistance to late blight disease.
The exercise took place across several sites, including Kitabi in Nyamagabe District in the Southern Province; Musanze District and Rwerere in Burera District in the Northern Province; and Tamira in Rubavu District in the Western Province.
RAB officials, development partners and farmers who participated in the exercise commended the varieties for their high yields and strong resistance to late blight disease, a major constraint that has historically caused significant losses in potato production.
The improved potato varieties under trial were developed through the Rwanda Agri-Biotech Programme, co-implemented by RAB in partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and other partners. The five-year programme, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gates Philanthropic Partners since October 2021, focuses on key crops including maize, potato and cassava.
