COPROBIO PGS Group: Rwanda’s First Certified Participatory Guarantee System Group Advancing Organic Agriculture

On 27th June 2025, during the KHEA Monitoring and Support Supervision Visit to the KCOA Demonstration Farm in Ngoma District, the Rwanda Organic Agriculture Movement (ROAM) the Country Implementing Partner (CIP) in Rwanda officially awarded a certificate to the COPROBIO Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) Group — Rwanda’s first group to achieve PGS certification. This landmark achievement marks a significant advancement for both the group and the broader organic agriculture movement in Rwanda.

A Community-Driven Approach to Organic Certification

COPROBIO PGS Group consists of 20 dedicated members;10 men and 10 women who champion organic farming practices across diverse value chains. Their products include fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, natural juices, and handcrafts, all produced using agroecological methods rooted in sustainability.

Using the Participatory Guarantee System framework, COPROBIO conducts peer reviews and ensures collective quality assurance, enabling smallholder farmers to access a cost-effective and community-based alternative to traditional third-party certification.

Support from the KCOA-KHEA Project

The certification process of COPROBIO is part of a broader regional initiative supported by the Knowledge Centre for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology in Africa (KCOA) through the KHEA Project, which has so far strengthened 19 farmer groups across five countries; Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Rwanda in developing and implementing PGS frameworks. This effort aims to foster inclusive, affordable organic certification models that empower smallholder farmers and promote agroecological transformation in Africa.

Certification journey of COPROBIO PGS group

Achieving PGS certification was no small feat. From establishing COPROBIO group, training group members, ensuring consistent documentation, uphold organic standards requirements, all while maintaining a unified and participatory group dynamic.

Albert Nkundabagenzi, a proud COPROBIO member and KCOA-KHEA Project Multiplier, shared:

“Achieving certification was a challenging journey, but it has built strong trust among us and opened new market opportunities. Using the Kilimohai mark shows that our products meet recognized quality standards, both locally and internationally.”

The Kilimohai Mark: A Gateway to Broader Markets

ROAM authorized the certified COPROBIO PGS group to use the Kilimohai mark organic quality seal on their  products. This recognition enhances consumer confidence and unlocks market access at both local and international levels, increasing income for group members and strengthening the case for organic production.

A Call to Governments across the East African Region and World at Large for Support and Scaling

COPROBIO joins other organic actors in calling on government institutions to:

1. 1. Strengthen policy frameworks supporting participatory certification schemes through PGS.
   2. Support farmers to access organic inputs
   3. Facilitate better market linkages for certified organic products

These steps are critical to scaling the PGS model, improving rural livelihoods, and advancing environmentally sustainable agriculture across Rwanda.

Looking Forward

COPROBIO’s certification is more than a local success, it serves as a beacon of what is possible when community-led systems are backed by the right support. Their journey was featured on the KHEA Digital Knowledge Platform as a case study in innovation, resilience, and the power of participatory certification. Together with ROAM and KHEA, COPROBIO PGS Group continues to empower men and women farmers and foster resilient organic value chains that protect both people and the planet

For readers interested in learning more about the transformative journey of the COPROBIO Cooperative from their innovative mushroom farming initiatives to achieving certification, please visit the detailed story here:

Access a copy of the PGS guide in Kinyarwanda;

Access a copy of the PGS guide in English

Prepared by Pamella Magino – KHEA Communications Officer, PELUM Uganda and Biovision Africa Trust and Dieudonne SINDIKUBWABO, Head of Programs-ROAM