Rwanda Commits to Transforming the Agriculture Sector Through Sustainable Investment

The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, in collaboration with various partners, has officially launched a new national program aimed at promoting investment in modern agriculture that can withstand the effects of climate change. The program’s objective is to build strong systems that provide sustainable solutions to food insecurity by strengthening the agricultural sector through technology, modern machinery, improved seeds, quality pesticides and fertilizers, and making them accessible to farmers.

So far, different partners have expressed commitment to mobilize Frw 449.7 billion, which will be invested in this program, with the amount expected to increase depending on participation. The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, said that two-thirds of these funds will be allocated to the construction of irrigation infrastructure.

It is expected that 83,250 hectares of land will be developed to become resilient to climate change, enabling production through modern irrigation systems and high-yield seeds.

The program will connect about 170,200 farmers with 375 agribusiness companies, linking them with financial institutions in order to build sustainable partnerships between farmers and the private sector in the journey of transforming agriculture into a path of sustainable development.

In support of this program, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), working with the World Bank, has committed to invest $56 billion in 2024 to support private companies and financial institutions with agricultural projects focused on innovation and poverty reduction.

All these efforts align with the opportunities highlighted in November 2024, when MINAGRI presented its five-year plan (2024–2029), known as PSTA 5, which focuses on developing a strong, productive, and resilient agricultural sector that contributes to food security.

By;Florence Uwamaliya