Lessons from Rwanda’s agriculture revolution

For decades, most stories on the international media about Africa have been negative. There are always reports of war, post-election violence, hunger, diseases and of recent the incessant migrant crisis. The African Union and other regional blocs have been working hard to change the narrative and it appears there is hope afterall. Some African countries […]

For decades, most stories on the international media about Africa have been negative. There are always reports of war, post-election violence, hunger, diseases and of recent the incessant migrant crisis.

The African Union and other regional blocs have been working hard to change the narrative and it appears there is hope afterall. Some African countries have started implementing the initiative of the AU, the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program ( CAADP), a policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all.

CAADP is usually organised by the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa, or the African Green Revolution Forum.

The 2018 edition was hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, with the theme: Lead. Measure. Grow. Or as succinctly observed by the Africa’s Chief- Entrepreneur, Mr. Strive Masiyiwa, the focus, this year is “Enabling New path ways to Turn Smallholders into Sustainable Agribusinesses.

The choice of Rwanda, as the host country for AGRF conference for this year, was indeed significant and timely. Rwanda was the home to negative stories for about two decades. But now, the country is emerging not only as one of the most peaceful countries on the African continent but one full of hope.

Therefore, there are lessons to be learnt from the Rwandan experience, especially on the agricultural revolution, on how it empowered Rwandans with farming tools to work.

Rwanda’s Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Gerardine Mukeshimana, said, currently, agriculture is the economy mainstay of the majority of households in Rwanda and makes a significant contribution to the economy. The sector accounts for about 30 per cent of the GDP and employs about 69 per cent of the labour force.

From the successful implementation of the African Union’s commitments on the Agribusiness in Rwanda, it’s our hope that Rwanda shares its experience with the rest of Africa.

The previous editions of the forum have seen major continental commitments to agriculture.

The 2016 edition, hosted by Kenya, for example, resulted in commitments of more than US $ 30 billion to support the continent with investments to increase production, income and employment for small holder farmers and local African agriculture businesses over the next ten years.

It’s expected that by the time our teeming youths are gainfully engaged and become productive, they would abandon crimes, and will see themselves as co-partners in moving the African economy.

Abdullateef Tanko, is the founder of Smile Face GLOBAL Peace Initiative.