As we approach the close of 2024, it is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the remarkable strides made in Rwanda's agricultural sector.
In this article, we revisit the key moments and significant achievements that have shaped the agricultural landscape of Rwanda throughout 2024, marking it as a transformative year for the sector.
17th Rwanda National Agriculture Show
One of the key highlights of Rwanda's agricultural calendar was the 17th Rwanda National Agriculture Show, which took place from July 31 to August 9, 2024, at the Mulindi showground in Gasabo District, Kigali.
This year's event was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) under the theme 'Building Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems.'
The show attracted over 470 exhibitors, showcasing the latest innovations and developments in the agricultural sector.
The exhibition was a vibrant display of cutting-edge technologies aimed at bolstering Rwanda's food systems, with a focus on climate resilience and sustainability.
Among the notable exhibits were solar-powered irrigation systems, hydroponics, modern livestock management, mechanization technologies, and the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in farming.
The Rwanda National Agriculture Show serves as a critical platform for stakeholders within the agriculture sector, including individual farmers, farmer organizations, financial service providers, and international entities supporting the industry.
The event provided an opportunity for participants to exchange knowledge, discover new products and services, and foster partnerships that will contribute to the creation of sustainable agricultural systems in Rwanda and the wider region.
At the opening ceremony, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Animal Resources, Eric Rwigamba, underscored the importance of collaboration within the agricultural sector to achieve food security.
He called on stakeholders to identify scalable solutions and reaffirmed the government's commitment to continued investment in agriculture.
Rwanda and Guinea sign MoU in agriculture
On June 3, 2024, Rwanda and Guinea-Conakry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in agriculture and animal resources.
The agreement, signed by Rwanda's then Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Ildephonse Musafiri, and his Guinean counterpart, Felix Lamah, outlines areas of collaboration in crop and animal production, pest and disease control, and agricultural research.
The MoU encompasses a variety of initiatives, such as sharing knowledge and expertise in plant production, promoting value addition, and expanding market access for agricultural products.
Additionally, it includes the digitalization of agro-input distribution and agricultural insurance, as well as the fostering of innovation and technology transfer.
This partnership not only aims to improve agricultural productivity in both countries but also strengthens ties between Rwanda and Guinea in the pursuit of sustainable agricultural development.
Rwanda presents key investment opportunities in agriculture
On October 15, 2024, Rwanda showcased its agricultural investment opportunities at the Hand in Hand Investment Forum in Rome, Italy.
The forum, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlighted the country's ambition to transform its agricultural sector through substantial investments.
Rwanda presented five key investment opportunities totalling $785 million, focusing on areas with significant growth potential.
These include investments in tea, livestock, potatoes, horticulture, and beef production.
The tea sector alone saw a $289 million investment aimed at expanding cultivation and establishing a new factory in Nyamagabe, while $169.8 million was earmarked for enhancing poultry and pig production.
Additionally, investments of $63.8 million and $222.3 million will support potato production and the expansion of horticulture, respectively, focusing on high-value crops like avocado and chilli peppers.
These investments are aligned with Rwanda's Fifth Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA 5) for 2024-2029, which aims to build resilient and sustainable agri-food systems.
The then Minister of Agriculture, Ildephonse Musafiri, emphasized that these investment opportunities not only promise business growth but also contribute to job creation, especially for women and youth, and to the overall development of the agricultural sector.
Rwanda's agricultural exports reach $3.2 billion over five years
Rwanda's agricultural sector has made significant strides in terms of exports, with revenue from agricultural exports reaching $3.2 billion (over 4.3 trillion Rwandan Francs) between 2020 and 2024. This marked a significant milestone in the country's agricultural export growth.
In the 2023/2024 fiscal year alone, agricultural exports generated $839.2 million (around Frw1.1 trillion), representing a slight decrease from the previous year.
Despite this, Rwanda continues to see strong export volumes, including 261.6 million kilograms of vegetables, fruits, and flowers, which contributed significantly to the nation's economy.
Advancements in air transport, particularly through RwandAir, have played a crucial role in expanding Rwanda's export capacity.
In 2023, RwandAir cargo flights transported 4,595 tons of goods to major international markets, including Dubai, the UK, and Belgium.
Rwanda's government has set an ambitious goal to double its exports to $7.3 billion over the next five years, with agricultural exports expected to grow significantly as part of this vision.
Rwanda hosts Africa Food Systems Forum 2024
From September 2-6, 2024, Rwanda hosted the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS Forum) in Kigali. The forum brought together over 4,900 participants from across the globe to engage in discussions aimed at transforming Africa's food systems.
The theme for this year's forum was 'Innovate, Accelerate, and Scale: Delivering Food Systems Transformation in a Digital and Climate Era.'
The forum addressed critical issues such as climate resilience, digital technologies, and the need for inclusive food systems across the African continent.
Rwanda's Prime Minister, Dr. Edouard Ngirente, called for governments to utilize digital technologies and implement climate-resilient practices to ensure food security for all Africans.
He also emphasized the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders to drive the transformation of agriculture and secure sustainable food systems.
The AFS Forum provided a platform for sharing innovative policies, business models, and technologies that will help move Africa's food systems forward.
Rwanda's commitment to embracing innovation and evidence-based policymaking in its agricultural sector was highlighted as a key driver of the country's ongoing transformation.
Rwanda hosts the 6th African Tea Convention and Exhibition
In October 2024, Rwanda also had the honour of hosting the 6th African Tea Convention and Exhibition in Kigali.
The event, held from October 9-11 at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village, brought together industry leaders, innovators, and tea enthusiasts from around the world to discuss the future of tea in Africa.
The convention, under the theme "Harmony in the Cup: Promoting Tea for People and the Planet," attracted 476 delegates, including 108 international participants.
The exhibition showcased a wide array of tea-related products, advanced technologies, and sustainability practices in the tea industry.
The event underscored the importance of promoting environmentally-friendly practices and innovations within the tea sector.
Rwanda, known for its high-quality tea production, was able to demonstrate its leadership in the industry while fostering global collaborations.
Rwanda showcases its floriculture at IFTF 2024 in the Netherlands
Rwanda's floriculture sector also took centre stage on the global stage in early November 2024 at the 14th edition of the International Flower Trade Fair (IFTF) in the Netherlands.
As one of the world's largest flower trade events, IFTF 2024 attracted a record number of exhibitors, including Rwanda's delegation, which showcased premium flowers under the Rwanda Fresh brand.
The event provided a platform for Rwanda to engage with international buyers, strengthen its position in the global flower market, and showcase the country's commitment to sustainable floriculture practices.
Rwanda's participation at IFTF 2024 was a strategic move to elevate its floriculture industry, with experts like Ms. Janet Basiima, Division Manager at the National Agricultural Export Development Board (NAEB), highlighting the opportunity to elevate Rwanda's flowers on a global scale.
Théophile Niyitegeka
