Rwanda
ibirayi, potato,
pomme de terre
Year2007
Production
1 320 000 tons
Harvested area
328 500 acres
Yield
4.02 tons/acre
The potato came with German soldiers and Belgian missionaries to Rwanda in the early 20th century. Today, potatoes are the country's second most important crop, after plantains, and in the sub-Saharan region Rwanda is the third largest potato producer after South Africa and Malawi.
Since 1961, Rwanda's potato production has risen from less than 110 million tons to a record 1.43 million tons in 2005. Output in 2007 was only slightly less. Potatoes grow well in several parts of country - mainly above elevations of 5 900 feet - with some areas harvesting two crops a year. Most of potato sector consists of small family farms that intercrop potato with beans and maize. Average yields are around four tons per acre.
The potato underpins national food security. Annual consumption is a very high 275 lb per person, making potato Rwanda's second most important source of calorie intake after cassava.
Further details from CIP's World Potato Atlas