She grew up surrounded by rice fields yet dreamed of becoming anything but a farmer. But life had other plans. Today, Bisenge Mico Mariette once determined to avoid agriculture at all costs is quietly becoming one of Rwanda’s most promising innovators in smart greenhouse farming, turning hesitation into purpose and scarcity into opportunity.

When Mariette looks back at her childhood in the hills of Western Province, Risizi District, Muganza Sector, she smiles at the unexpected twist. She grew up surrounded by rice fields yet agriculture was the last thing she ever imagined calling a career.

“I had never imagined agriculture to be my profession. It was not appealing. It wasn’t aesthetic,”
she said.

As a young girl, Mariette pictured herself wearing a white doctor’s coat, becoming an engineer, or standing in a courtroom as a lawyer. That future felt cleaner, more modern far from the mud-stained image of farming she grew up knowing.

Determined never to cross paths with agriculture, she deliberately chose to study Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry (MPC) in high school.

“In mathematics we used to say parallel lines never meet. That was my plan to never cross paths with agriculture,”
she says.

She carried this mindset into university, pursuing Energy Engineering at the University of Rwanda. By her second year, she was already an entrepreneur dabbling in fashion, construction, and recycling. Agriculture was still far from the picture.

But while searching for new business opportunities, she stumbled upon a gap in agriculture one technology could fill.

Mariette began building an agri-tech system designed to monitor and control environmental conditions in greenhouses and open fields supporting precision and climate-resilient agriculture. The idea was strong, but It exposed a reality she had been avoiding

“I realized I couldn’t do that without being a farmer. I had to experience what farmers face every day to solve their problems.”

It was an unexpected turn. She wasn’t proud at first. She felt insecure, unsure of how to explain to people why she had become “an agriculture person.”“I always felt like I owed people an explanation. I wasn’t convinced myself… but I had trust that the path would make sense someday.” She said.

Her greatest barrier was capital. She had no job and the only income she had was a 40,000 Rwf monthly university allowance.“That money wasn’t even enough. But I still believed something would work.” She said.

Her breakthrough came when she applied for the Imali Agribusiness program by the Imbuto Foundation and won 10 million Rwf to begin her project.

But even that, she says, “wasn’t enough” for what she needed to deliver. She continued seeking support, including through BDF, while also acknowledging her second biggest weakness was lack of agricultural skills.

Through Rwanda Extension Agriculture programs and partners like AGRA, FAO, and Mastercard Foundation, she gained technical skills, exposure, and most importantly, access to markets.

She highlights one experience with particular gratitude: “At the AgriShow in Mulindi, they paid for everything our stand, transport, food, accommodation. That changed everything for me.”

Mariette eventually launched Smart Greenhouse, a company combining greenhouse farming and precision agriculture technologies. Her innovations monitor and regulate conditions that influence crop growth directly supporting Rwanda’s 2030 goal of increasing agricultural productivity by 25%.

Today, Smart Greenhouse operates in Gicumbi, Rwamagana, and Bugesera, serving both local and international markets.

The company currently employs 6 permanent employees and 30 temporary worker’s daily. Mariette says agriculture taught her that transparency inspires others.“We were taught not to talk about money. But I want youth to know there are opportunities.”

Revenues vary by season tomatoes take four months, sweet pepper 6–8 months, habanero a year, strawberries 8–12 months. But across all three greenhouses. Smart Greenhouse earns between 28–30 million Rwf gross per season, after covering salaries, taxes, and costs.

Her journey mirrors the barriers many young people encounter capital market access and skills and technical capacity. Yet she insists these problems should not discourage anyone.

“Dear fellow youth, agriculture needs you. We eat every day. The population is increasing while the land is decreasing. Agriculture needs creative, innovative youth more than any industry will ever need you.” She said.

Mariette urges partners to support farmers in accessing premium markets: “Middlemen take our produce for very low prices, then sell it high because they access bigger markets. We take all the risk yet earn the least.”She hopes for collaborations that expand market access both locally and abroad.

Her dream is bold, clear and rooted in the future of controlled-environment agriculture: “In five years, I will be a big greenhouse farmer. Saying my name Mariette will mean greenhouse farmer. You won’t separate the two.”

Mariette’s journey reflects a larger shift in Rwanda’s agriculture at a time when the country must create over 850,000 agri-food jobs by 2030 and still loses up to 40% of horticultural produce due to limited market access. With only 2% of Rwanda’s farmland irrigated and more than 70% of citizens relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, her smart greenhouse model shows how technology can boost productivity and resilience.

By earning 28–30 million Rwf per season from just three greenhouses, she demonstrates the untapped potential of youth-led agribusiness and directly contributes to Rwanda’s national goal of increasing agricultural productivity by 25% by 2030 proving that innovation, not land size, will define the future of farming.

In the bustling heart of Addis Ababa, a quiet milk revolution is underway. At the helm is Selam Yihun, 27, a dynamic young entrepreneur redefining what it means to lead with purpose. As Co-Founder and CEO of Plafko Trading PLC, Selam is on a mission to make plant-based living not just a lifestyle choice but an accessible solution for millions across Ethiopia.

Selam’s journey into agribusiness is deeply personal. Inspired by her mother, a nurse known for her compassion and service, Selam learned early the value of community impact. As a teenager, she volunteered in her community, shaping her sense of responsibility and drive for positive change. “Those early experiences shaped my vision,” she reflects. A transformative trip to Kigali, Rwanda, later cemented her entrepreneurial path.

“In Kigali, I saw milk bars where plant-based drinks like soya milk and oats were everyday staples,” she says. “It struck me that in Ethiopia, such concepts were rare. I realized e-commerce and agro-processing could transform nutrition across Africa.”

Returning home, Selam undertook extensive research, interviewing 300 individuals and 54 cafés and milk processors. The findings revealed a strong demand for affordable, high-quality plant-based alternatives. She and her team launched Plafko in 2024, selling over 187 litres of oat milk and generating the company’s first round of revenue. “We’re now working In the Process of working with farmers to grow oats aiming to produce over 80 litres per day and sell at 800 birrs per litre,” Selam explains. “Our goal is to scale mechanized production for middle-class buyers.”

Her strategy focuses on collaborating with local farmers and esteemed research institutions such as AGRA to improve seed production and implement biofortification. It aims to improve soil health, increase seed multiplication and marketing, and address micronutrient deficiencies in plant-based products.

Plafko’s fortified, dairy-free alternatives position the brand as a leader in combating malnutrition and offering healthier food options for populations with lactose intolerance or dietary restrictions. “Our products deliver on both taste and health—without compromise,” Selam says.

With its strong Ethiopian identity and cultural authenticity, Plafko resonates with health-conscious consumers, individuals observing fasting traditions, and those embracing modern, lifestyle-driven choices. The company leverages digital platforms and B2B partnerships with cafés, restaurants, and organic markets to expand its reach. Through her experience and consultations across business, marketing, and startup incubation, Selam has built a unique skill set to drive Plafko’s mission forward. Startup programs like Jasiri Talent Investor and BIC Africa Catalyzer have supported her in refining the business model and scaling operations.

AGRA’s efforts to strengthen agribusiness ecosystems in Africa align closely with Selam’s mission. “Support from organisations like AGRA—whether through training, market access, or catalytic funding—can make the difference between an idea remaining on paper and becoming a movement,” she reflects. As Chair of the Youth Sounding Board for the European Union Delegation to Ethiopia and a member of the World Food Forum Youth Representatives Program (WFF YRP), Selam envisions building networks among youth and agro-processors to facilitate knowledge-sharing and strengthen agricultural value chains.

She knows shifting Ethiopian consumption habits requires innovation. “We’re educating communities on the health and environmental benefits of plant-based diets while ensuring affordability and cultural acceptance,” she explains.

In Ethiopia, where child malnutrition remains a significant challenge, Selam believes addressing these issues requires collective synergy across sectors. “Together, we can create sustainable solutions that nourish children and strengthen communities,” she emphasizes.

The participation of ten Ethiopian youth delegates at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) 2025 in Dakar — including the bold leadership of Selamawit Yihun, founder of OatMilk Ethiopia — demonstrated how global exposure transforms youthful ideas into real opportunity. In the Youth Dome, where she showcased her plant-based nutritional innovation, Selamawit captured the essence of the experience, saying: “The Dome turned shyness into confidence; it taught me that innovation begins with courage.” Her visibility expanded even further through Farm Radio International and AGRA’s communications platforms, where she took part in live broadcasts that carried Ethiopian youth voices across 22 African countries. Dakar became a turning point: a place where Selamawit’s creativity, communication, and courage converged into a clear pathway for scaling climate-smart nutrition, strengthening women’s agribusiness leadership, and contributing to Ethiopia’s future in food-systems transformation.

Looking ahead, Selam plans to launch fortified plant-based yoghurts, expand distribution across East Africa, and invest in larger production facilities by 2026. Beyond business, she sees her work as a commitment to environmental stewardship and community health. “It’s not just about plant-based food,” she says. “It’s about nourishing people and the planet.”

For Selam, success is measured not only in litres sold but in lives changed. As she stands at the forefront of Africa’s plant-based revolution, her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: “Start small, dream big, and build with purpose.”

AGRA marks 20 years of operation across the continent, Rwanda stands out as one of the countries where its interventions have produced tangible and lasting results.

On KPMEDIA Podcast, Jean Paul Ndagijimana, AGRA’s Country Manager in Rwanda highlighted that the journey has been less about celebrating projects and more about building systems that work for farmers.

“AGRA was founded in 2006 following the vision of the late Kofi Annan, who believed that transforming agriculture was the fastest way to transform Africa,” Ndagijimana said. “Over 60 percent of Africans depend on agriculture, so any serious development agenda had to start there.”

In Rwanda, AGRA’s work began in the context of post-genocide reconstruction, when institutions including agriculture were being rebuilt almost from scratch. The organization identified human capacity as the most urgent gap.

“At that time, what Rwanda needed most was skilled people scientists, breeders, extension specialists,” Ndagijimana explained. “So AGRA invested heavily in education.”

Through partnerships with institutions such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Gates Foundation, AGRA supported more than 50 Rwandans to obtain Master’s degrees and over 27 to complete PhDs in fields including crop science, plant genetics, and breeding. Many of these professionals are now working in research institutions, government agencies, and the private sector.

AGRA’s support went beyond training. Over the past 20 years, the organization has invested approximately USD 20 million in Rwanda, channelled into research infrastructure, laboratories, equipment, vehicles, and production facilities.

“A country does not only need people; it also needs tools,” Ndagijimana said. “We supported laboratories, in-vitro facilities for potatoes, and research stations in Musanze and other areas.”

These investments contributed to Rwanda’s ability to develop its own improved crop varieties. Today, Rwanda produces locally bred, high-yield maize varieties and is making similar progress in rice, soybeans, and potatoes.

One of AGRA’s most impactful interventions focused on addressing aflatoxin contamination in maize a problem that once locked farmers out of major markets. When Africa Improved Foods (AIF) opened its factory in Rwanda, it

was rejecting nearly 90 percent of locally produced maize due to quality concerns.

“It was painful,” Ndagijimana recalled. “The factory was in Rwanda, but farmers could not sell to it.”

AGRA worked with the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and international partners to introduce biological control solutions such as Failsafe, alongside improved post-harvest handling practices, including drying maize on the cob.

“Today, more than 90 percent of Rwandan maize meets AIF’s standards,” he said. “That completely changed the relationship between farmers and the market.”

AGRA also played a central role in shifting Rwanda’s seed system from state-dominated to private-sector-driven. In 2016, Rwanda had almost no private seed companies. Today, there are more than 20.

“Government was producing seed, distributing seed, and regulating seed it was too much,” Ndagijimana noted. “We worked with government to bring in private companies while allowing the state to focus on research and regulation.”

Private companies now dominate seed multiplication and marketing, while government institutions concentrate on breeder seed and quality assurance an arrangement that has strengthened sustainability and efficiency.

With youth and women forming the backbone of Rwanda’s population, AGRA has increasingly focused on making agriculture attractive, profitable, and modern.

“Young people don’t want agriculture that depends only on hard manual labor,” Ndagijimana said. “They want technology, data, and predictable income and that’s what we are supporting.”

Through greenhouses, irrigation systems, digital advisory services, and smart pest-management tools, AGRA has helped reposition agriculture as a business. The organization targets supporting 132,000 young people most of them women into agricultural employment by 2028.

AGRA’s latest strategy prioritizes value chains such as avocado, chili, and poultry due to their strong domestic and export demand.

“Chili can start generating income in as little as six months, and global demand is high,” Ndagijimana said. “Avocado offers long-term security one tree can produce for over 20 years.”

These commodities, he added, provide both quick wins and long-term income stability, especially for young agripreneurs.

Rwanda hosts the secretariat of the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF), a major continental platform convened by AGRA that brings together over 5,000 participants, including heads of state, investors, private companies, and development partners.

“Being the convener of AFSF shows the trust placed in AGRA,” Ndagijimana said. “And for Rwanda, hosting the forum generates millions of dollars in economic activity and invaluable knowledge exchange.”

He noted a growing trend of African and Rwandan diaspora investors using AFSF as a bridge to invest back home, particularly in high-value crops such as avocado and chili.

For Ndagijimana, the most meaningful measure of success is at the farmer level.

“What makes me happiest is seeing a farmer who used to beg for a buyer now negotiating prices with multiple buyers,” he said. “That power to choose that dignity that is real transformation.”

As AGRA looks ahead, its focus in Rwanda remains clear: strengthen implementation of sound policies, deepen private-sector engagement, and ensure that gains especially in seed systems and markets are sustained.

“We know where Rwanda is going,” Ndagijimana concluded. “The task now is to turn strong policies into everyday reality for farmers.”

After 20 years of AGRA’s engagement in Rwanda, the impact is no longer measured only in narratives, but in numbers. Over USD 20 million has been invested in Rwanda’s agricultural systems. More than 50 Rwandans have earned Master’s degrees and 27 have completed PhDs, strengthening the country’s scientific and institutional backbone.

Rwanda has moved from importing nearly 100 percent of its improved maize seed in 2017 to meeting domestic demand by 2022, with over 20 private seed companies now operating in the country, compared to virtually none a decade ago. In maize markets, rejection rates due to aflatoxin contamination dropped from 90 percent to below 10 percent, unlocking stable markets for thousands of smallholder farmers.

AGRA’s current strategy targets the creation of 132,000 jobs by 2028, most of them for youth and women, while high-value value chains such as chili and avocado are positioning Rwanda for long-term export growth.

Taken together, these figures point to a structural shift, from subsistence to systems, from uncertainty to structured markets, and from dependency to local capacity. For Rwanda’s agriculture sector, the next phase will be judged not by new pilots, but by how these numbers continue to grow and who benefits most from them.