The recently launched fourth Strategic plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA4), also constituting the third round of CAADP investment plan for the period of 2018-2024, targets to make agriculture a central driver for Rwanda’s economic transformation, recognizing the central role of youth and women in its development, according to Dr Gerardine Mukeshimana, Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources.

“The agriculture sector is set to create employment, satisfy our food and nutrition needs by 2022, and reduce the poverty rates from 39.1% to 15% by 2024,” the minister said.

She made the statement on February 14, 2019 while speaking at the 42nd session of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Governing Council in Rome, Italy where she was representing the President of the Republic of Rwanda. The event was held under the theme “Rural Innovation and Entrepreneurship.”

To achieve this strategic plan targets, the minister explained, the Government of Rwanda will continue to invest in agricultural innovations, extension, resilience, market linkages, and in the creation of an enabling environment and responsive institutions.
Currently, the Rwanda food system contributes 40% to the national GDP. Beyond the GDP, it covers 90% of the country’s food needs, generates 50% of national export revenues, and provides jobs to 76% of the population. 69 % of these jobs are in primary agriculture while the rest 7% are in input supply, trade and transport, agro-processing, and food services.
“This alone highlight the amount of work needed to transform our rural space for the improvement of the socioeconomic conditions of our people,” Minister Mukeshimana said. “Without innovation and entrepreneurship, various components of our food system would fail short to deliver to the growing demand of population growth and urbanization. Small and medium-sized enterprises with capable human resource have a tremendous role to play.”
In the journey to the inclusive development, the Minister added, Rwanda continues to bring in the center of the playing field, women and youth as these sections of our society have been previously marginalized or badly utilized by the previous regimes.
In this regard, the Minister recognized the role of IFAD in partnership with the government of Rwanda to provide the opportunity to the youth to practice their skills in various value chains but also providing matching grants for Small and Medium Entreprises operating in dairy and horticulture where the government covers 75% risk for youth and women loans.