Unlocking Rwanda’s agricultural potential

Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Idephonse Musafiri, discussed the challenges and innovative approaches to boost the agricultural sector in a recent interview with CNBC Africa. The Minister highlighted the impact of climate change on agricultural productivity and the need for out-of-the-box solutions to overcome these challenges. With agriculture contributing 25% to Rwanda's GDP, the government is focused on implementing initiatives such as irrigation schemes, conservation agriculture, and public-private partnerships to drive growth in the sector. In addition, efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and increase investments in research and development are underway to further enhance agricultural productivity. One of the key themes discussed in the interview was the impact of climate change on Rwanda's agricultural sector. The Minister emphasized the need for innovative solutions to navigate through climate shocks and sustain agricultural production. With irregular seasons and weather patterns affecting traditional farming practices, initiatives like irrigation schemes and conservation agriculture are being introduced to help farmers adapt to changing conditions. Key points from the interview include the importance of irrigation schemes in increasing productivity and food security. The Minister mentioned successful examples where irrigation has significantly improved crop yields, demonstrating the potential of such schemes to transform farming practices. Additionally, efforts to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance research and development in agriculture were highlighted as crucial steps towards further sector growth. In response to the challenges of funding in the agricultural sector, the Minister discussed the government's partnership with the World Bank to de-risk agriculture financing. A fund of $300 million was established to provide cheap loans to farmers and increase access to finance. By addressing the issue of stunted agriculture lending, the government aims to showcase the potential for agriculture to become a thriving commercial sector that can drive economic growth. Overall, the interview with Rwanda's Minister of Agriculture shed light on the innovative approaches being adopted to boost the country's agricultural potential. Through initiatives like irrigation schemes, conservation agriculture, and increased funding for research and development, Rwanda is positioning itself for sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.