During five days, the meeting will be mainly discussing conservation, exchange and sustainable use of crop varieties among contracting parties.
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Gerardine Mukeshimana, called upon the delegates to forge mechanisms to safeguard farmers’ rights, especially the right to equitably participate in benefits arising from the utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
“It is my humble request to the esteemed delegates to come up with a clear mechanism acceptable by all parties for sharing the benefits from the commercial utilization of genetic resources for food and agriculture,” Minister Mukeshimana said.
Rwanda has established laws, policies and strategies that promote the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The country’s agriculture research has also developed and released over 90 high yielding, disease and pest resistant crop varieties including beans, potatoes, maize, wheat and rice, some of which have been widely disseminated beyond Rwanda.
Weiss was speaking Tuesday in a press conference responding to the recent electricity-related injuries and deaths which he said were caused by illegal connections.
“REG would like to remind all the general public and its esteemed customers that whoever needs to be connected to electricity network or has an issue related to power should seek support from REG technicians provided by the respective branches,” he said.
He said that some incidents that have resulted into injuries and death have resulted from using substandard materials, using unprofessional technicians, touching cables and climbing high voltage lines and cabins.
“There are unqualified technicians operating upon deceit of the public out there claiming to be REG, Energy, Utility Corporation Ltd (EUCL) or Energy Development Corporation Ltd (EDCL) employees, telling citizens that they can give them access to electricity or repair their installations,” he warned.
“REG management is calling upon the general public to be cautious with these people commonly known as ABAHIGI, because their services are substandard and may result into electrocution or fires,” he cautioned.
REG says that on 22ndOctober, in Rutunga sector of Gasabo District, two children were electrocuted after touching an electricity wire that was used illegally to share electricity between two households.
On 25th October, in Muganza sector of Rusizi District, one of the three young girls was electrocuted and the other two were injured as a result of a cable that was detached by an unqualified technician claiming to be EUCL staff.
The same week, on Sunday, 29th in Musanze District, a 31-year-old man who was cutting grass was struck by electrical shock when he tempered with the electrical cables that were emerging from an electrical cabin. The same day in Musanze, a 10-year-old student was struck by electrical shock after trampling on the uninsulated MV line cable which was damaged by a road maintenance company.
The project which is expected to be completed by next year is being implemented in Rusororo sector of Gasabo District on a 12-hectare piece of land.
In June 2016, SP inaugurated a $22 million worth fuel depot with the capacity of storing 22 million liters of fuel.
Speaking to IGIHE, the SP Chief Operations Officer, Alexandre Ngendahimana explained that they are upgrading the depot fivefold from the existing storage capacity.
“After a 22 million liters depot facility completed last year, we are constructing a 38 million liters facility to enable the country have uninterrupted fuel supplies in case of an emergency,” he said.
Rwandan fuel dealers import fuel through the ports of Mombasa, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
According to Ngendahimana, SP currently has capacity to serve Rwandan market with petrol for 50 days without more importation.
He said that in June 2018, all depots will be completed and the company will be able to store 60 million liters.“
These depots will enable us to store fuels that can be used for a period of four months. We do our best to always have these depots filled,” he explained.
Mukeshimana was speaking yesterday in the 7th Session of the Governing Body on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture that is taking place in Kigali.
A study by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has revealed that World population will increase to 10 billion by 2050 from around 7 billion today.
The increase of population goes hand in hand with increase in food consumption which also needs new measures and creativity in agriculture and animal resources to increase production.
According to Mukeshimana, new practices to improve food productivity are needed to be able to meet the World demand.
“As World population is expected to increase to 10 billion in 2050, 2.5 billion of them will be living in cities. Much increase will be mainly in Africa and Asia; this means that investment in Agriculture should be intensified. More production is needed through seed multiplication” she said.
According to MINAGRI, in Rwanda, much has been done to improve agricultural production. Among initiatives employed is the Crop Intensification Program (CIP) as the main driver of crop production for ensuring food security and self-sufficiency.
Through different agro-research centers in Rwanda, 90 varieties of seeds capable of resisting climate change effects were unveiled. These include beans, Irish potatoes, maize, wheat and rice seeds.
The FAO Climate, Biodiversity, Land and Water Department Assistant-Director General, René Castro Salazar said that for the world to be able to have food security, population need to embrace good agricultural practices and learn how to sustain productivity.
“Today, 1/3 of our productivity is misused. If we had to maintain them properly it would facilitate us. For us to be able to feed 10 billion in the future we need not to waste anything on productivity. People also need to use technology in agriculture since they start planting till they harvest” he said.
In Rwanda, Agriculture contributes 1/3 of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and covers 50% of exportation.
Havugimana was speaking to Parliament yesterday while presenting 2016/2017 report and planned activities in 2017/2018.
After presenting the report, MP Henriette Mukamurangwa questioned the case of Jean d’Amour Niyonteze, a man who got school fees from FARG yet he had been jailed over genocide crimes.
“He had been paid for school fees and removed from beneficiaries’ list later. Then he fought for his rights, but FARG found that he had committed genocide against the Tutsi and sentenced to 13 years in jail. This is unbelievable, so, what did CNLG do with this case? What did you do for him to reimburse the money he had benefited from?” asked MP Mukamurangwa.
Havugimana explained that CNLG identified the case and informed FARG which also informed the Police to pursue him (Niyonteze) so that he can face justice and compensate the money.
“Our advocacy was limited from there as we don’t have the right to arrest. But, all concerned institutions were informed so that he can repay the money,” he said.
Havugimana said that in 2017/2018, CNLG will continue to digitize Gacaca archives where they target to digitize 6 000 000 pages; 60,000 books, and 8000 audios and videos recorded during Gacaca courts.
Following the Umuganda in Kagogo Sector, Tigo Rwanda staff also donated Mutuelle de Santé for 500 vulnerable residents from Cyanika and Ruhunde sectors, who were unable to afford health care. The handover of the medical insurance cards took place in Cyanika Sector.
The Rwf 1.5 million worthdonation is part of Tigo Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to ensure a better life for the most vulnerable Rwandans.
Commenting on the donation, Tigo Chief Executive Officer, Philip Amoaoteng, said “As a company working in Rwanda, we believe that it is our responsibility to take care of the most vulnerable among us and that is why we are very pleased to be able to ensure that 500 vulnerable people now have access to health care”.
This donation brings to 1,266 the number of Mutuelle de Sante cards that have been distributed by Tigo Rwanda into three districts namely Burera, Bugesera and Ngoma this year.
The incident happened Sunday evening, where two died immediately after the meal.
Uwamahoro has been an employee at Minani’s home in Gabiro village, Buhaza Cell, Rubavu Sector of Rubavu District.
The deceased are Pascal Ndamyebuke, 10, and Benjamin Ndikubwimana, 5.
Speaking to IGIHE, the Western Region Police Spokesperson, IP Eulade Gakwaya said that they have launched investigations to ascertain the motive behind the poisoning.
“We cannot confirm that the food was poisoned but we are waiting for results from investigations,” he said.
Organised by Messe Berlin, the Asia’s leading travel trade shows, ITB Asia took place from 25th to 27th October 2017 at Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre in Singapore. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the show in bringing together experts within the travel trade industry from all over the world to engage in dynamic B2B discussions.
Rwanda’s participation is expected to boost the rising number of visitors from Asia and Australia and to further introduce Rwanda to new emerging markets, especially for high-end and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) visitors.
In a press conference organised in side lines of the event, media was briefed with different speakers including Lucas J Murenzi from the High Commission, KhassimBizimungu from Rwanda Development Board and Jacqui Sebageni, the Managing Director of ‘Thousand Hills Africa’.
Murenzi emphasised the determination of the Government of Rwanda to promote tourism and wild life conservation that has led to a sharp and steady increase in the numbers of visitors to Rwanda as well as tourism revenues.
On the diversity of tourism attractions and potential in Rwanda, Sebageni said that besides the flagship gorilla trekking experience, Rwanda offers a variety of other attractions in wildlife, culture and people experiences as well as MICE visitors.
She further highlighted the beauty of Rwanda’s nature and the energy of its people.
Bizimungu stated that a solid foundation has been laid at ITB Asia.
“These three days have been very fulfilling for me as a representative of Rwanda at ITB Asia. We have managed to establish business contacts with people who have shown genuine interest in selling and promoting Rwanda,” he said
Sebageni echoed her optimistic sentiments saying “ITB Asia has been a great success for me, as it has provided an introduction to this interesting, lucrative and high-growth potential market that is Asia. We found people curious and interested in Rwanda, and once they heard what we had to offer, they became even more interested. I believe we can grow the numbers from Asia and Australia quite significantly,”
Regarding efforts in conservation, like protecting endangered species and the re-introduction of Black Rhinos and Lions to Akagera National Park, Bizimungu shared RDB’s strategy of focusing on eco-tourism and involvement of local communities in the program that has so far been very fruitful.
Ngirente was speaking Saturday after monthly community work (Umuganda) in Nyagatare District where a total of 30,000 trees were planted.
He called on residents to protect forestry saying that it is the foundation of sustainable development.
“When a big section of the population uses bio-fuels for cooking, it negatively impacts the conservation efforts. Today 83% of Rwandan population use bio-fuel for cooking, but the government targets to reduce that to 43% by 2020,” he said.
“In order to achieve this target, it requires adoption of energy efficient cooking methods including gas for city dwellers and biogas and saving stoves (Rondereza) for the rest” he urged the public.
Rwanda targets to have 30% of her surface planted with trees by 2020. However, Ngirente said that achieving the target will require everyone’s contribution.
The Minister of Land and Forestry, Francine Tumushime requested Nyagatare residents to plant more trees as well as sustaining the existing forests, Which are decreasing.
Mushikiwabo who was speaking Sunday to different French journalists in Kigali said France has for so long been characterized with insolent behaviors on matters concerning Rwanda.
“We have observed some behaviors, sorry to call them insolent, but we Rwandans today require that they admit their role in genocide,” she said.
“I can tell you that France will not succeed in this struggle they are fighting, it is indeed baseless. You can shield some evidence, but there are others you can’t. So, we recalled our ambassador because we are concerned with these endless accusations,” Mushikiwabo explained.
In July, France launched fresh investigations in the shooting down of Habyarimana’s plane.
French courts called Defence Minister Gen. Kabarebe in France by December to testify about the shooting down of a plane that was carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana in April 1994 which prompted Rwanda to recall Jacques Kabale, her ambassador to France.
