Berwa Sandra Uwimana, an alumna of the African Leadership University (ALU) with a bachelor’s in Business Entrepreneurship, is taking bold steps to secure Rwanda’s agricultural future. Her work focuses on reducing post‑harvest losses and helping smallholder farmers add value to their crops, turning hard work into income and sustainable growth.
For many Rwandan farmers, ‘post‑harvest loss’, the loss of vegetables, beans, fruits, and grains after harvest but before reaching consumers, remains a major challenge. In Rwanda, losses in key crop value chains were estimated in 2023 at 13.8 % for maize, 11.3 % for beans, and 12.4 % for rice.
Losses for perishables are even higher: tomatoes at 33.5 %, cassava at 24.8 %, and Irish potatoes at 25.2 %. A broader estimate suggested that Rwanda loses up to 40 % of total food production each year, representing about 12 % of GDP and using 21 % of the country’s agricultural land.
“This can happen due to poor storage conditions, inadequate packaging, transport delays, or limited knowledge about preservation techniques,” Sandra explains. The consequences go beyond wasted food: farmers lose income and the potential to reinvest in seeds, tools, and better farming methods. “Saving the harvest allows farmers to earn more, support their families, and build a more stable future,” she adds.
Sandra promotes a holistic approach: combining technology, training, and market access. Her strategy includes affordable tools such as hermetic storage bags and plastic crates to protect produce, alongside training in sorting, drying, and handling. She also emphasises value addition, turning fresh produce into dried snacks or sauces to extend shelf life and improve income.
“In Rwanda, smallholder farmers need practical tools, proper training, and better connections to buyers,” Sandra says. Her vision supports national goals: the government has launched a programme to reduce post‑harvest losses to below 5 % by 2029, down from 13.8 % recorded in 2023. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture has already constructed more than 525 modern drying grounds and supplied over 100 solar “bubble dryers” to reduce losses.
Sandra’s work is transforming how farmers view agriculture. By saving “every grain and fruit”, she aims to not only help Rwanda feed itself but also to empower farmers economically — offering a model of sustainable growth and entrepreneurship rooted in innovation.
