Taking organic farming to the next level in East Africa

Food safety is a growing concern among African consumers, with many preferring organic vegetables over conventional produce. In response to this trend, Dutch vegetable breeding company Rijk Zwaan, horticultural distributor Holland Green Tech, and PUM have joined forces to strengthen organic vegetable production in East Africa. The collaboration resulted in a successful training programme held in Rwanda recently, bringing together growers and advisors from Rwanda, Burundi, and Kenya.

One of the initiators was Heleen Bos, Specialist Marketing Organics at Rijk Zwaan. She explained that African consumers often question the safety of traditionally grown vegetables. “Many believe that chemical residues cause stomach problems. By supporting organic methods, we can offer consumers peace of mind when they eat vegetables,” she said.

Expert guidance from PUM

The training was conducted by PUM expert Willem Klaassen, an experienced horticulture specialist with decades of practical expertise. Drawing on his extensive background, Willem shared valuable insights that enabled participants to grasp the core principles of organic farming. Although it was not possible to cover every aspect of the field within a single workshop, the sessions focused on soil health and pest and disease management in key crops such as tomatoes, brassicas, French beans, peppers, and cucumbers. “We provided participants with a solid foundation by emphasizing soil health, IPM, and natural methods of managing pests and diseases,” Willem explained. The programme combined indoor sessions with practical fieldwork at Pride Farms, an organic farm near Kigali that served as the main training site.

Knowledge in practice

Farmers immediately saw the relevance of the training. Pride Farms’ manager Serge Muhire explained how he already uses compost and biological crop protection: “The training has given us even more insights. In the future, we want to keep improving day by day, year by year.” Similarly, Jean Baptiste Tuyishimire from Sunripe Farms states. “Thanks to the training, I know how important soil health is plans to strengthen soil analysis, composting and the use of insect traps.”

Partnership and continuity

For Gilbert Tuyisenge, manager at Holland Green Tech Rwanda, the joint initiative reflects the growing demand among advisors and farmers: “By working together with Rijk Zwaan, PUM and the participants, we can take organic growing to the next level.” The workshop brought together 21 participants, who all received a certificate of attendance. Beyond the classroom, a WhatsApp group was set up to allow growers to exchange knowledge and experiences. A formal Organic Farming Working Group was also installed, consisting of Holland Green Tech, Pride Farms and the Rwanda Agriculture Board.

Looking ahead

The training opened the door to broader collaboration in the future. PUM could play an important role in strengthening marketing and certification systems for organic farming, particularly through partnerships with organizations such as the Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM), a leading voice in organic certification and consumer awareness.

Each participant concluded the programme with a personal action plan, outlining concrete steps to apply the knowledge gained in their daily farming practices. Their enthusiasm for continued learning and more practical, on-farm training reflects a strong commitment to advancing organic farming in Rwanda. Heleen underlines: “This training shows the strength of partnerships. By combining seeds, technology and practical knowledge, we can make safe, organic vegetables more accessible to African consumers.”

Photography: Tjipke Meijer – Rijk Zwaan