EAGC Grain Business Institute (GBI), the capacity building arm of Eastern Africa Grain Council has concluded a three-day Safe Grain Handling, Whole Grain Milling and Fortification Training in Kigali, Rwanda, as part of its capacity-building efforts to strengthen the country’s grain and milling sector.
Held in partnership with EAST AFRICA EXCHANGE (EAX) Rwanda, the training brought together representatives from over 35 milling companies across Rwanda, creating an opportunity for millers to learn from industry experts, share experiences and strengthen practical skills across different stages of grain processing.
The training comes at an important time for Rwanda’s grain sector, as the country continues to strengthen local grain processing and promote greater access to safe and nutritious grain products. The growing focus on WholeGrain maize flour and Fortification also makes it increasingly important for millers to understand the processing and quality considerations involved.
Over the three days, participants engaged in practical sessions on safe grain handling and storage, moisture and aflatoxin risk management, milling processes and efficiency, whole-grain milling, food safety, flour quality and key considerations around fortification. The training concluded with a field visit to Agrowth, a 100 MT-per-day maize milling facility in Kigali, where participants observed an automated milling system from grain intake to finished flour, alongside strong hygiene and quality-control practices, including an on-site laboratory for aflatoxin testing and analysis. The visit also provided a practical look at how a modern mill can serve different market segments, including supplying the school feeding programme in partnership with EAX Rwanda, while exploring opportunities to expand into regional markets such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The partnership with EAX Rwanda also brought a valuable market perspective, connecting discussions on grain handling and processing with the broader grain value chain, from quality and structured markets to efficient processing and market access.
For Rwanda’s grain industry, strengthening the capacity of millers is important to ensuring that grain is handled efficiently and safely as it moves from producers and markets through processing and ultimately to consumers. Better practices can help reduce avoidable losses, improve processing efficiency and support the production of safe, consistent and nutritious grain products. Through practical learning, demonstrations and industry exchange, EAGC reaffirms its continued commitment to building the capacity of grain industry players and strengthening a more efficient, competitive and resilient grain sector in Rwanda.
