{{Rome }} — {{Investments in climate smart, smallholder agriculture in support of rural women and youth at centre of the discussions
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The President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Kanayo F. Nwanze, will arrive in the Republic of Rwanda on 22 October to meet with Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, as well as other high-level government officials.
During his trip, Nwanze will discuss how to further strengthen collaboration between the Government of Rwanda and IFAD so that it continues to pave the way for successful implementation of the government’s Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture which calls for moving agriculture from subsistence to a more knowledge-intensive, competitive and market-oriented sector.
“Rwanda is a prominent example of how targeted investment in agriculture has led to economic success – thus a model for other African countries to follow,” said Nwanze prior to his departure.
“Agriculture is central to eliminating hunger, improving nutrition, eradicating poverty, empowering marginalized people, and managing natural resources. And, of course, it is central to creating business opportunities in rural areas, so that people do not have to leave to find work.”
Agriculture remains the backbone of Rwanda’s economy, accounting for one third of GDP in 2012 and generating about 80 per cent of total employment. Although a great part of GDP growth over the past 10 years can be attributed to improved performance in agriculture, the sector still remains vulnerable to climate change.
About 80 per cent of adults in rural communities are subsistence farmers who rely on rain-fed production systems. Less than 6 per cent of all cultivated land in Rwanda is irrigated. Women dominate the rural labour force, with 92 per cent engaged in agriculture in some form.
With only 1.5 million hectares of arable land, future grow could be limited. Rwanda’s main food crops include sorghum, banana, beans, sweet potato and cassava but, over the last decade, maize, rice, Irish potato and fruits and vegetables have emerged as important crops grown by smallholders. Tea and coffee represent by far the main traditional export crops, providing about 70 per cent of agricultural export earnings.
While in Kigali, Nwanze will meet with Geraldine Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, and Claver Gatete, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, to discuss the partnership between IFAD and Rwanda as well as how investments in climate smart, smallholder family agriculture in support of rural women and young people are central to Rwanda’s sustainable rural transformation agenda. He will also meet with representatives of United Nations agencies working in Rwanda.
Nwanze will visit the IFAD-supported Community-based Watershed Management Project in the District of Kirehe to see first-hand how project participants have improved their lives and discuss with them what further challenges they face.
Since 1981, IFAD has financed 15 programmes and projects in Rwanda for a total value of US$437.6 million, of which IFAD has contributed $239.4 million, directly benefiting 534,300 rural households
IFAD
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