The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) hosted a Twitter event at Norrsken, on November 15, under the theme ‘World Food Day 2023: Water is Life, Water is Food. Leave No One Behind’.
World Food Day was observed in Rwanda on October 27, in Kayonza District, followed by a series of events, all meant to drive awareness about hunger and sustainable water management.
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The Twitter event, which sought to leverage the social reach of the invited agriculture influencers, aimed to shed light on the role of water in agriculture, and the challenges faced by the country in water resource management, and to look at new solutions required for sustainable growth, all the while creating more awareness for the cause.
Coumba Dieng Sow, FAO Country Representative, in her remarks, underscored the indispensable role of water in agriculture at different levels of the value chain, emphasising its significance for food production, economic growth, and livelihoods in Rwanda.
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Mentioned was the fact that agriculture relies heavily on freshwater, which represents 72 per cent of global water usage. As a cornerstone of the Rwandan economy, the industry employs 70 per cent of the population and contributes 31 per cent of GDP.
Moreover, key exports such as coffee, tea, and horticulture rely on this sector, representing 75 per cent of Rwanda’s agricultural output. However, limited water resources hinder agricultural expansion.
Furthermore, the event also brought together other experts and stakeholders to discuss key messages, including the role of water in agriculture, challenges in water resource development, opportunities for enhancing agricultural productivity through modernisation, and collaborative efforts for a sustainable future.
Dr Karangwa Patrick, Director General of Agriculture Modernisation at MINAGRI, who spoke during a panel discussion at the event, outlined the current challenges faced by Rwanda, including limited access to water resources, uneven distribution of water, soil erosion, and outdated irrigation techniques.
He stressed the need for innovative solutions and technologies to overcome the challenges and foster agricultural growth.
Eugene Rurangwa, PhD, a seasoned scientist with expertise in aquatic production systems, also emphasised the importance of adopting modern practices and irrigation techniques to boost yields and shift to high-value crops.
He suggested the implementation of smart irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and reuse to optimise water usage based on real-time data, weather conditions, and crop needs.
Additionally, Placide Nshuti, a project consultant with FAO Rwanda, advocated for multi-stakeholder collaborations to drive sustainable water-driven agriculture.
He noted government strategies, including promoting climate-resilient agriculture, precision agriculture using data analytics and sensors, and upgrading water infrastructure such as reservoirs, canals, and storage facilities.
Mireille Kazungu, an entrepreneur and one of the participating young agriculture influencers, emphasised the transforming power of water as a "lifeline connecting us all.”
"There is a need to use innovation and technology to monitor and map water resources in the country,” she said. As a result, "more research funding is required to identify water-efficient farming approaches."
Reflecting on the event, Kazungu underlined her dedication to transforming inefficient food systems into reliable and sustainable ones. She emphasised the necessity of collaborative efforts and the importance of an efficient agriculture system in combating hunger and urged the youth to take the lead in the struggle.