ROOTING FOR THE SPUD

LOVE YOUR FRENCH FRIES? CHANCES ARE THEY'RE MADE FROM RWANDA'S SIGNATURE POTATO, GROWN IN A QUIET VILLAGE AT THE BASE OF THE VIRUNGA MOUNTAINS. BUT HOW ARE SCIENCE AND POLICY WORKING TO SUSTAIN THIS ICONIC CROP'S FUTURE?

- By Davis Higiro

It's 6:30AM. The fog begins to lift, and the first rays of sunlight stretch across the open farmland of Kinigi- a quiet village nestled at the base of Rwanda's Virunga Mountains, just a stone's throw from some of the country's most-popular tourist sites, including the starting point for mountain gorilla treks.

Despite its proximity to nature's mighty marvels, Kinigi's fields are steeped in quiet routine. Farmers, dressed in vibrant, patterned fabrics, begin to emerge in the fields.

Hoes in hand, they greet each other with soft murmurs, their voices mingling with the morning breeze. They arrive in small clusters, many on foot from nearby homes, and begin tending to their crops with quiet focus-each movement precise, refined by years of experience.

With their backs slightly bent, they move steadily through rows of green potato plants, gently clearing weeds, inspecting leaves, and checking the moisture of the soil.

These are the early hours of potato farming in Musanze District, home to the prized Kinigi variety, a potato so deeply tied to the region's identity that its name carries weight across Rwanda and beyond.

Kinigi potatoes are not just a staple; they are a livelihood. Cultivated by smallholder farmers like the ones working in this field, the crop commands higher prices for its yield, taste, and shelf life—a reward for the backbreaking labor that begins before sunrise.

Market demand

Rwanda cultivates at least 15 different potato varieties, but none have maintained market dominance like Kinigi. Introduced in 1984 by the International Potato Center in Lima, Peru, Kinigi potatoes were assessed for their adaptability to Rwanda's climate and volcanic soil.

Théophile Ndacyayisenga, a potato researcher based in Musanze District, highlights three key factors driving the growing demand for Kinigi's potatoes.