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Kura Na AgTech 1.0: Strengthening Market‑Driven Solutions for Inclusive Agricultural Growth

Rwanda
Sustainable agriculture
05.05.2026
Smallholder farmers are at the core of Rwanda’s agricultural economy, yet many continue to face challenges, including low farm productivity, limited access to markets, and inadequate adoption of appropriate technologies. Addressing these constraints requires market‑driven, locally agritech solutions that can scale sustainably and respond to farmers’ needs.

In response, Swisscontact, in partnership with Impact Hub Kigali, launched the Kura Na AgTech Acceleration Program, a yearly initiative program designed to identify, support, and accelerate high‑potential, impact‑driven agritech startups solutions, with a strong focus on improving livelihoods for smallholder farmers—particularly rural women and youth.

Program Overview

The first edition, Kura Na AgTech 1.0, was implemented from August to December 2025 and three local based agritech ventures were supported: Kumva Insights, Mulika farm, and one woman‑led enterprise Loopa. The startups operate across key segments of Rwanda’s agri‑food system, including climate and soil data intelligence, organic fertilizers, and digital market access.

Over an intensive four‑month acceleration pathway, the ventures received tailored technical assistance, milestone‑based grant funding, targeted coaching, and strategic linkages with financiers and investors. This support enabled them to strengthen their business models, improve operational and governance systems, and enhance their readiness for investment and partnerships.

Bridging innovation and practice: agritech entrepreneurs engage with smallholder farmers during a field demonstration, translating climate data, organic inputs, and digital tools into practical solutions that improve productivity and market access. 

Early Outcomes and Market Results

Within a 4-month implementation period, Kura Na 1.0 delivered concrete early outcomes:

  • 385 smallholder farmers were trained on agritech solutions and their effective use by three ventures/local implementers.
  • Loopa has started producing organic fertilizer and is employing women on its demonstration fields, contributing to job creation and the adoption of soil-restoring, organic inputs,
  • Mulika Farm has strengthened market access for smallholder farmers, improving structured linkages between farmers and buyers through digital solutions.
  • Kumva Insights enhanced its climate data intelligence systems, providing real‑time insights to 85 farmers and improving their data‑driven decision‑making.
  • Cross‑venture collaboration emerged between Loopa and Kumva, leveraging data insights to strengthen production outcomes.
  • The program contributed to the creation of three new job opportunities in 2025 and more expected in 2026.

 

Building capacity for impact: a Kura Na AgTech session equips smallholder farmers with practical skills and digital tools, strengthening their ability to adopt market-driven solutions and improve productivity.

Project Participant’s Perspective

"Understanding what impact measurement is and how to do it - this is where the Kura Na AgTech Acceleration Program has come in, at just the right time. "
Cynthia Umutoniwabo, CEO and Founder  Loopa

Looking Ahead

Building on the momentum and lessons learned from this first cohort, Kura Na AgTech 2.0 is starting soon. The next phase will run over a longer extended period of 6 months, support more startups, and leverage learnings from Kura Na 1.0 as a pilot—the program to deliver even stronger and more scalable impact.

From farm to market: improved aggregation and quality handling of produce strengthens smallholder farmers’ access to structured markets and better incomes. 

This project is part of the Swisscontact Development Programme, which is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. 

2025 - 2028
Rwanda
Sustainable agriculture
AgroInnovation - Fostering resilient food systems and smallholder livelihoods 
The project empowers start-ups and agribusinesses to develop and scale innovative, climate-friendly products and services that boost the productivity of Rwandan smallholder farmers, enhance the nutritional value of their produce, and expand their market access.
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