The NSAR Ordinary General Assembly was held on 15 January 2026 at the Kigali Marriott Hotel, bringing together NSAR members, partners, and key stakeholders to review progress and set priorities for the year ahead. The meeting opened with welcome and opening remarks from the NSAR Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer of the Private Sector Federation (PSF), who both commended the Association’s achievements and reaffirmed strong institutional support for the development of Rwanda’s seed sector. The Assembly also marked the celebration of NSAR’s 10th Anniversary, recognizing a decade of growth, resilience, and contribution to strengthening the private seed industry. Members formally adopted the agenda and received the Annual Report, which highlighted major milestones including hosting the AFSTA Congress 2025, progress on the Strategic Roadmap, official partnerships, advocacy for regulatory reforms, and Rwanda’s selection as host of the ISTA Congress 2028, alongside the presentation of the 2026 Action Plan and budget.

Discussions further focused on strategic priorities and forward-looking initiatives, including preparations for the 3rd Rwanda National Seed Congress scheduled for July 2026, with members encouraged to actively engage through exhibitions and sponsorship. Key partners, including RSSB and RICA, provided updates on ongoing collaborations related to social protection schemes, self-regulation, quality assurance, accreditation, and seed traceability. Members also deliberated on proposals to strengthen farmer–seed company linkages and acknowledged improvements in subsidy payment timelines. In closing, the Permanent Secretary of MINAGRI reaffirmed the Ministry’s full support for NSAR as the officially recognized umbrella body of the seed sector. The Assembly concluded with a New Year cocktail and networking session, reinforcing partnerships and celebrating NSAR’s 10 years of impact.

Link to photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCGH9p