Experts in agriculture discuss on 4th ‘Strategic Plan for Agric Transformation’ formulation

Around 200 national and international agriculture experts are gathering in Kigali to contribute opinions, knowledge, share experience and best practices that will shape the fourth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation in Rwanda.

The high-level seminar, taking place from June 07th to 09th, 2017, was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) in close collaboration with its development partners.

While delivering the opening remarks of the 3-day seminar, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Jean Claude Kayisinga, explained that the seminar aims at taking stock of the performance of the agricultural sector under PSTA3, identify thematic areas and related program components that should be continued under PSTA4, as well as new themes that need to be included.

“The current PSTAIII is ending in the next fiscal year. So, we need to have the PSTA4 in place before the end of this year if we are to avoid a gap in strategic planning process while aligning with the on-going third Economic Development & Poverty Reduction Strategy development process,” said Kayisinga. “In planning the next 6 years strategy, we must learn lessons from the past and must be prepared for the future.”

Speaking during the event, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana, said that the PSTA4 will be shaped in a way that will keep improving lives of Rwandans.

“It’s a challenge for us to make sure that we shape an agriculture strategy that will make our population decent citizens,” she pointed out.

PSTA 4 will start putting into practice the new Agriculture Policy with a vision of having a productive, green and market-led agriculture sector.

Since 2004, the ministry has developed and implemented three consecutive strategic plans for agricultural transformation in Rwanda (PSTA I, PSTA II, PSTA III), all aiming at harmonizing the agriculture sector development activities with the national Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategies (EDPRS I, EDRPS II), the Rwanda Vision (Vision 2020) and the CAADP.

Rwanda's agriculture sector has witnessed incredible progress through the implementation of PSTA-III both in crop and livestock development. Through PSTA3 programs, food and cash crops production has increased, and poverty was reduced to 39.1% in 2015-16 from 44.9% in 2010-11. Under PSTA3, Rwanda's agriculture sector has also been contributing a third of the national gross domestic product for the recent years and agriculture sector GDP grew at 5% per annum contributing to a sustained national economic growth of the country.

The next 6 years strategy will take into account the ongoing agriculture policy development and be articulated around Productivity, commercialization for food security, Incomes and Consumption of healthy food, Resilience and Sustainable Intensification, Inclusive Employment & Improvement of Farmers’ skills and an Effective Enabling Environment & Responsive Institutions.

Agriculture remains the backbone of the economy. The agriculture sector accounts for approximately 33% of the GDP, employs 69.2% of the Rwandan labor force, has generated 60% of the foreign exchange, provides 75% of raw materials for industry, and provided about 45% of total Government revenue, according to 2015 statistics of the national Bank of Rwanda.

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