{{Kigali:}} {The president of the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) Kanayo F. Nwanze has applauded government of Rwanda for its consistency policies and providing an enabling environment for the development agriculture in Rwanda.}
Mr. Nwanze was paying a courtesy call to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning as part of his four-day official visit to Rwanda where he will among other activities, tour IFAD supported agriculture projects.
“Rural Development cannot take shape without Agriculture transformation. I want to acknowledge the government for its strong commitment to develop the agriculture sector,” Mr. Kwanze said.
The State Minister for Economic Planning Uzziel Ndagijimana noted that rural development was central to Rwanda’s development agenda.
He said: “All our policies such as agriculture development, infrastructure and increased off-farm jobs, among others are geared towards rural development.”
He acknowledged the role IFAD has played in rural development through championing agriculture development.
He further said that IFAD’s support was not only well aligned to Rwanda’s medium strategy but also the country’s strategic plan for agriculture transformation.
Minister Ndagijimana and Nwanze agree that for a sustainable agriculture transformation to take root, private sector engagement in co-investing and co-financing was critical.
They agreed that to address resource gap, the private sector needs to be encouraged to partner small farmers and revolutionize agriculture.
IFAD is currently involved in several agriculture projects in rural areas. They include: Post-Harvest and Agribusiness Support Project which increases incomes of smallholders and rural laborers – including women, young people and vulnerable groups; Rural Income through Exports which benefits about 128,700 households including smallholder farmers and women headed households and Kirehe Community-based Watershed Management Project which promotes the shift from subsistence to intensified market-based agriculture in Kirehe District.
Since 1981, IFAD has financed 15 rural development programs and projects in Rwanda, for a total amount of US$239.4 million and directly benefiting about 534,300 rural households. The financing provided by IFAD consists of loans on highly concessional terms and grants.
{{RNA}}
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