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Rwanda Submits Biotech Cassava and Potato Varieties for Regulatory Approval
Rwanda has applied for release of its first biotech cassava and potato seed varieties, with approval expected later in 2026. The programme launched in October 2024 targets cassava brown streak disease, potato late blight, fall armyworm and drought. Trial results show improved resistance and yields compared with conventional crops.
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Rwanda has submitted applications for the release of biotech cassava and potato seed varieties to the Rwanda Inspectorate, Competition and Consumer Protection Authority. AllAfrica reported that approval is expected later in 2026, with a possible official notification by September.
The agricultural biotechnology programme began in October 2024 in partnership with the African Agricultural Technology Foundation and the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board.
It focuses on cassava, Irish potato and maize to address cassava brown streak disease, potato late blight, fall armyworm and drought. Canisius Kanangire, AATF executive director, said biotech cassava and potato varieties have been submitted for release while TELA maize remains in final trials.
Athanase Nduwumuremyi, coordinator of the Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa Rwanda, stated that the authority will publish the list of approved seeds in the Official Gazette once cleared.
The Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board has already begun multiplying the biotech cassava and potato seeds for distribution to farmers and seed multipliers. AllAfrica reported that biotech potatoes perform well without spraying, biotech cassava resists cassava brown streak disease and biotech maize shows strong resistance to fall armyworm.
The first harvest from the current trials is expected within two weeks of 24 June 2026.
