African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Review

Plant biotechnology: A key tool to improve crop production in Rwanda

Leonce Dusengemungu
  • Leonce Dusengemungu
  • School of Life Science and Technology Lanzhou University of Technology, 287 Langongping Road, Lanzhou, Gansu 730050 P. R. China.
  • Google Scholar
Clement Igiraneza
  • Clement Igiraneza
  • School of Life Science and Technology Lanzhou University of Technology, 287 Langongping Road, Lanzhou, Gansu 730050 P. R. China.
  • Google Scholar
Sonia Uwimbabazi
  • Sonia Uwimbabazi
  • School of Life Science and Technology Lanzhou University of Technology, 287 Langongping Road, Lanzhou, Gansu 730050 P. R. China.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 27 September 2018
  •  Accepted: 13 December 2018
  •  Published: 16 January 2019

Abstract

Rwanda’s economy relies on agriculture; nevertheless, crop production remains insufficient for both local consumption and exportation. Overall, enough agriculture yields in Rwanda to ensure food security has not yet been achieved regardless of more than 87% population engaged in agriculture activities. In this context, this study aimed at gathering the information on Rwanda’s agriculture based on different research reports and Rwandan’s government established policies to identify constraints to agricultural production faced by farmers and applicability of plant biotechnology. It was revealed that intensive and appealing discussions about agriculture economic importance, production of improved crops and the use of all necessary resources to ameliorate agricultural production need more attention. This review attempts to discuss the current problems facing agriculture in Rwanda and feasible solutions stressing that planning strong-long term policies, promoting crop breeding and use of plant biotechnology tools together with modern agriculture resources can boost up and transform economic developmental progress of Rwanda.

 

Key words: Rwanda, plant biotechnology, improved crops, food security.