By George Achia
When Haruna Muvunxi, a farmer from Gatsibo District in eastern Rwanda, planted a new drought-resilient hybrid maize on his 10 m by 10 m farm, he did so with cautious optimism. For years, the same land had produced barely half a 50-kg bag of maize — too little to meet his household’s food needs or generate meaningful income. But within just two growing seasons, his harvest had quadrupled.
The improved hybrid, supplied by Agriseed Ltd as part of on-farm demonstration trials, showed a level of performance Haruna had never seen before. Where traditional varieties had struggled under erratic rainfall, the new hybrids thrived — delivering significantly higher yields and demonstrating their potential to transform productivity for farmers in the region.
These trials followed AATF’s licensing of two improved maize hybrids —WE 5117 and WE 3106—to Agriseeds Ltd in 2024. The partnership aimed to bring climate-resilient, high-performing seeds closer to farmers, build confidence through real field performance, and accelerate adoption among smallholders facing increasing climate pressures.
(Photo courtesy: AATF)
For Haruna and many farmers like him, the new hybrids represent more than improved seed, they offer a pathway to greater food security, higher incomes, and renewed confidence in farming.
After participating in on-farm trials coordinated by Agriseeds Ltd, Haruna selected WE 3106 from the four hybrids he had been given to test. His choice was driven by its early maturity and significantly higher yields under local conditions.
“I used to plant our local varieties, but when Agriseeds introduced these new ones, I chose to continue planting WE 3106 because of its high yields,” says Muvunxi, a father of two.
From the same piece of land that previously produced just half a bag, Haruna harvested one and half 50-kg bags – a threefold increase in productivity.
“I was extremely impressed by the high yields,” he explains. “The new climate-resilient maize hybrid takes only three months to mature, compared to the longer growing period of unimproved varieties. The improved harvest now helps me to meet my family’s food needs. I encourage more farmers to adopt this new hybrid, WE3106.”
Haruna shared his experience during farmers’ field days, held in February 2026 in Gatsibo and Nyagatare Districts, where farmers and stakeholders observed firsthand the performance of DroughtTEGO™ maize hybrids (WE3106 and WE5117) under real field conditions.
Coordinated by the National Seed Association of Rwanda (NSAR), the field demonstrations were hosted at Agriseeds Ltd plots in Rugarama Sector Gatsibo District, and Matimba Sector (Kagitumba) in Nyagatare District. The sites were selected to reflect local growing conditions and enable farmers to evaluate the hybrids’ performance in environments similar to their own farms.
The events brought together farmers, agro-dealers, seed companies, local government representatives, including district and sector agriculture officers, extension agents, and development partners — strengthening linkages across the seed value chain and accelerating awareness and adoption.
“Beyond the demonstrations, the field day strengthened critical connections between farmers, seed companies, and other value chain actors, laying the foundation for sustained productivity and enhanced national food security in Rwanda,” explains Safari Jean Bosco, the CEO of AgriFob, the local community-based organisation coordinating the trials.
The hybrids Haruna planted are part of the DroughtTEGO™ portfolio — climate-resilient maize varieties developed to withstand drought and erratic rainfall, which are increasingly affecting farmers across Sub-Saharan Africa.
“The future of Africa’s agriculture depends on farmers having access to quality, climate-resilient seed, says Dr. Munyaradzi Jonga, Seed Production Manager at AATF, and the TAAT Maize Compact Lead. ‘’By working with local seed companies in Rwanda, we are enabling farmers to increase yields, improve livelihoods, and build resilience in the face of climate change,” he adds.
Dr. Jonga noted that AATF and the TAAT Maize Compact are working with maize value chain players, including farmers, to support the adoption of maize hybrids that address key challenges, such as the increasing incidence of drought, which has repeatedly left many farmers without a harvest—and consequently, without food.
“Climate change is real. Our farmers need varieties that are resilient to the impact of climate change,” Dr. Jonga adds. “Partnerships between researchers, seed companies, extension services, and governments are essential to ensure farmers can access and benefit from these innovations.”
These improved DroughtTEGO™ hybrids were developed through the Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) project coordinated by AATF. The hybrids are licensed to seed companies under the DroughtTEGO™ trademark. This model ensures sustainable production, distribution, and access through commercial seed systems that can reach farmers on a scale.
To date, DroughtTEGO™ hybrids have been licensed to seed companies in Rwanda and across multiple African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
These climate-resilient hybrids are specifically adapted to mid-altitude maize-growing regions and have consistently demonstrated their ability to increase productivity, stabilize yields, and strengthen resilience against drought.
For farmers like Haruna, the impact is immediate and tangible: more food on the table, more stable incomes, and greater confidence in farming despite climate uncertainty.
What began as a small on-farm trial has become a turning point — not only for one farmer, but for a growing number of smallholders gaining access to improved seeds.
As adoption expands, climate-resilient hybrids like WE3106 are helping build stronger farming systems, more resilient rural livelihoods, and a more food-secure future for Rwanda and the wider region.
