NAEB is spearheading Rwanda’s journey toward inclusive and competitive agricultural transformation through its flagship initiative, the Promoting Smallholder Agro-Export Competitiveness (PSAC) Project. Over six years, this program is redefining how rural communities participate in and benefit from export-oriented agriculture.

Jointly financed by the Government of Rwanda, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Government of Spain, PSAC Project has delivered impactful results across its targeted value chains, since its launch in 2024. 

In the coffee value chain, a major milestone has been achieved in rejuvenating old trees to increase productivity. More than 543 hectares of coffee trees aged over 30 years were uprooted and replaced with 1,356,775 high‑yield seedlings, which were distributed to over 6,000 farmers across six districts: Ruhango, Huye, Nyamagabe, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, and Karongi. Additionally, 120 hectares of coffee aged seven years and above were rehabilitated. These interventions contribute to the broader project goal of rejuvenating 4,132 hectares of coffee plantations including 3,050 hectares for replacement and 1,082 hectares for rehabilitation, during the project’s lifespan.

Progress was also made in the tea value chain, where the preparation of 29,708,000 seedlings is underway, including 8,538,000 seedlings scheduled for planting in October 2025. Over a four‑year period, PSAC aims to expand and infill 2,410 hectares of tea plantations across six districts namely: Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Nyabihu, and Rulindo, requiring nearly 40 million seedlings in total. 

Horticulture has also recorded notable progress under the project. For avocado, 29,130 seedlings have been planted on 97.6 hectares in Bugesera, Rwamagana, Huye, and Rusizi, while 151,926 more seedlings are under preparation for the upcoming planting season in October 2025. Mango production has seen 4,579 seedlings planted on 15.3 hectares in Bugesera, with 45,673 seedlings being prepared for the next season. Essential oil crops, particularly patchouli, have also gained momentum, with 257,842 seedlings planted on 9 hectares in Rusizi, Nyabihu, and Nyaruguru. To enhance seedling survival and crop establishment, the project has distributed 13,569 metric tons of compost to 7,015 farmers.

Beyond production, PSAC has created 4,567 jobs for youth and women, mostly in seedling production, generating a total income of 2 billion Rwandan Francs. Organized into 256 community groups across 14 districts, these beneficiaries have successfully produced over 1.4 million seedlings, with numbers expected to increase as the project progresses.

Through its implementing partners, Cordaid and Heifer International, the project has strengthened 123 farmer groups and cooperatives, building their capacity in governance and training them in farming as a business. 

To boost private sector participation and strengthen value chain actors, PSAC has allocated 2.7 billion Rwandan Francs in Matching Grants. This funding supports small‑scale investments for individual farmers, medium‑scale initiatives for cooperatives, and targeted support for agro‑exporters, reflecting the project’s holistic approach to building a competitive and market‑oriented agro‑export sector. 

“The PSAC Project is driving sustainable growth in Rwanda’s agri-exports by empowering smallholder farmers to boost productivity and elevate export quality, thereby positioning Rwanda as a stronger competitor in global markets. The PSAC initiative is truly transformational for the agri-export sector”. Said the Chief Executive Officer of NAEB, Claude Bizimana.

Through this initiative, Rwanda aims to build a more competitive, inclusive, and sustainable agro-export sector that transforms the lives of smallholder farmers contributes to national economic growth.