Prime Minister Dr Justin Nsengiyumva told parliament on Thursday that the government plans to prioritise programmes that boost productivity while encouraging smallholder farmers to adopt modern agricultural technologies.
'Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and a critical driver of citizens' welfare,' he noted.
Current context and goals
In 2024, agriculture contributed 25% to Rwanda's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The government plans to increase this share while achieving full food self-sufficiency by 2029, up from the current 79.6%.
The sector has played a key role in improving the economy and livelihoods. Between 2017 and 2024, Rwanda's per capita GDP rose from $754 to $1,040, driven in part by agriculture and related industries. The value of agro-processed products also rose, reaching Frw 1 trillion in 2024, up from Frw 369 billion in 2017.
Agriculture employs 55% of the rural population and 12% of urban residents. Nearly 70% of Rwandans rely on farming for their livelihoods, with almost half producing primarily for the market.
Strategic interventions
To reach the 50% growth target, the government plans to expand irrigated farmland from 74,375 hectares in 2024 to 132,171 hectares by 2029. Smallholder farmers with plots under 10 hectares will receive subsidies covering 50% of irrigation equipment costs.
The government is also investing in local seed multiplication to reduce dependency on imported seeds and is promoting increased fertiliser use from 73.1 kg per hectare in 2024 to a projected 94.6 kg by 2029, to boost yields.
Investment in agriculture will rise, with bank loans allocated to the sector expected to grow from 6% today to at least 10% by 2029. Farmers are encouraged to insure crops and livestock to minimise losses, with current schemes covering over 300,000 farmers and 56,761 livestock keepers.
Production targets
Rwanda plans to increase grain storage capacity from 318,000 tonnes to 420,000 tonnes by 2029. Annual milk production is expected to rise from 1.09 billion litres to 1.3 billion litres, while fish output will grow from 48,000 tonnes in 2024 to 77,000 tonnes. Egg production is projected to reach 21,000 tonnes, up from 17,000 tonnes.
Prime Minister Nsengiyumva said these interventions, combined with modern technology adoption, strategic investment, and insurance programmes, are central to achieving sustainable agricultural growth and improving the livelihoods of Rwandans.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/economy/article/how-rwanda-plans-to-achieve-a-50-rise-in-farming-output-by-2029
