AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA Ltd Holds Strategic Planning Retreat to Shape Future of Sustainable Agriculture Innovation in Africa

Oct. 18, 2024, 10:48 a.m.

From October 4th to 5th, 2024, the AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA Ltd team convened at the scenic Kivu Peace View Hotel in Rubavu District for a pivotal two-day retreat. This milestone event marked the beginning of a transformative journey to develop the organization’s comprehensive Strategic Plan (2025-2029), aimed at driving sustainable agricultural research, innovation, and extension services across Rwanda and Africa.

The retreat comes just weeks after AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA celebrated its 6th anniversary, a momentous occasion reflecting on its journey from a student-led research and outreach initiative to becoming a leading force in agriculture research and extension services in the region.

Abdu Usanase, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, officially opened the retreat. He commended the entire team for their unwavering commitment, resilience, and exceptional work over the years and recognized their collective efforts in building the company's stellar reputation as a hub of agricultural research and innovations. "The team’s discipline, resilience, and shared values have been the cornerstone of our success, enabling AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA to emerge as a leader in agricultural research and extension services in Rwanda," Abdu said.

Building Partnerships, Creating Impact: Together, we’re redefining agricultural research and innovation!

Highlighting recent accolades, he praised the team for winning the prestigious Best Exhibitor Award at the Rwanda Agriculture Show for three consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024) in both the Research and Youth categories. These honors reflect the company's role as leader in youth-driven innovation and research excellence.

Key Focus Areas of the Retreat

During the retreat, the team undertook comprehensive discussions and workshops aimed at refining the company’s strategic priorities for the next five years. The retreat focused on the following key areas:

1. Market-oriented Research: Building strategies to scale regenerative agriculture and eco-friendly post-harvest technologies across Rwanda and beyond through AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA’s new initiative, Agricultural Green Research and Innovation Park Initiative (AGRIPI), the first of its kind research and innovation center in Rwanda.
2. Digital Transformation: Exploring digital solutions to enhance efficiency in extension services, knowledge dissemination, and farmer empowerment through tools like the SmartInput platform.
3. Collaboration and Partnerships: Strengthening collaborations with universities, NGOs, government bodies, and international organizations to amplify impact and foster knowledge exchange.

Innovation in Action: Paving the way for sustainable agriculture with AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA’s Strategic Plan 2025-2029

Abdu emphasized the importance of teamwork, discipline, and cross-sector collaboration in achieving the new strategic goals. He encouraged the team to continue working with a shared sense of purpose and commitment, stating that, "Our unity and focus on excellence will drive the success of this strategic plan and our continued leadership in agricultural innovation."

Charting the Future of Agriculture: Strategic discussions in full swing at Kivu Peace View Hotel!

Building on Success: Looking Ahead

The Strategic Plan (2025-2029) is a roadmap that builds on AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA's impressive achievements, including its groundbreaking innovations in research, extension services, and the promotion of regenerative agriculture. The plan will outline how the company will continue empowering farmers, creating new opportunities for youth in agriculture, and enhancing food security in Rwanda.

As AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA moves forward, the organization is dedicated to validating the strategic plan through robust engagement with stakeholders. This inclusive approach will ensure that the strategies align with the needs of the farmers and communities the company serves while contributing to Rwanda’s broader agricultural transformation.

As AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA embarks on this exciting new phase, it remains committed to deepening relationships with existing and new partners. Collaboration will be key in transforming the strategies outlined during the retreat into real-world solutions that benefit Rwandan farmers, rural communities, and the agriculture sector at large.

The retreat concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and enthusiasm, as the team looks forward to implementing the vision that will shape the future of AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA Ltd.

As AGRIRESEARCH UNGUKA Ltd embarks on this transformative journey, we invite our valued stakeholders, partners, and supporters to join us in validating and implementing the Strategic Plan (2025-2029). Together, we can amplify our impact, fostering sustainable agricultural innovation, enhancing food security, and empowering farmers across Rwanda and Africa.