Rwanda's agricultural output stagnates for second year in a row
The East African - 1 hour ago
Last year, agriculture output stagnated at 3 per cent, just like in
2012, while in 2011 the sector only grew by 3 per cent. This year, the
government is projecting that the sector will expand by 5 per cent.
Agricultural production has been undermined by insufficient rains
recorded in the past season, particularly in the eastern part of the
country which produces the highest volumes of cereals. The region is
also the country's cattle production corridor.
Most residents in the district said their crops were drying up. They
cultivate maize, beans, sorghum and cassava, which have been wiped out
in the dry spell.
Up to 2008, Rwanda suffered a chronic food shortage but increased
investments in agriculture coupled with favourable rains saw the
country attain relatively higher yields.
With agriculture accounting for up to 12.6 per cent of GDP since 2012,
the government predicts an impressive sector growth rate of 8.5 per
cent between 2013 and 2018.
But experts say the country must marshal resources to respond to
climate change and encourage private sector investment to supplement
the government's efforts.
Dr Agnes Kalibata, Minister of Agriculture, says the country is
accelerating investment in the sector not only to increase
productivity but also to deal with threats posed by climate change.
Initiatives planned for the next financial year include establishing
irrigation schemes.
Dr Kalibata said the government plans to double fertiliser bulk
purchases by involving the private sector.
"We are also doubling access to improved seed by encouraging private
seed distribution. We have also exceeded our expectation of crop
insurance, where farmers are taking insurance for access to input use
and safeguard against weather shocks," Dr Kalibata says.
In the financial year 2014/15, government is targeting to increase
arable land favourable for food crops through radical and progressive
terracing, addressing productivity related gaps to ensure at least 40
per cent households use improved seeds and 30 per cent use inorganic
fertilisers.
This is in addition to reducing vulnerability to climatic conditions
through increased irrigation and diminishing post-harvest losses with
the construction of new post-harvest facilities.
However, recently, the government launched a four-year project to
mitigate the effects of climate change in disaster-prone areas in the
north-western parts of the country.
By Emmanuel Rutayisire and Rodrigue Rwirahira
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