The third steering committee meeting, facilitated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), was held in Karongi to assess the project's progress and outline plans for the year. The representatives from national and district levels included the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), the University of Rwanda (UR), Rwanda Agricultural and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) and district-level Directors of Agriculture. Additionally, twelve young innovation facilitators were present at the meeting. In her welcoming address, Ms. Coumba D. Sow, the FAO Rwanda Representative, commended the progress made by project partners, highlighting the alignment of the project with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She expressed optimism that the committee's efforts would continue to yield positive results, ultimately benefiting Rwandan farmers and contributing to SDGs 1, 2, 5, 8, 13, and 15. Dr Chantal Ingabire, Director-General of Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Chairperson of the DeSIRA project steering committee, thanked members for their role in transforming the agriculture sector. She emphasized the committee's significance in reviewing progress, identifying challenges, and ensuring the project aligns with the Development of Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA 5) goals. Addressing the meeting, Ms. Amparo Gonzalez, Team Leader of the Agriculture and Environment EU Delegation to Rwanda and co-chair of the Steering Committee, praised DeSIRA's innovative approaches. She highlighted the adoption of hydroponics and black soldier flies in the Rutsiro District, emphasizing the need to scale up these initiatives for broader impact across the country. Following a mid-term review, the committee discussed challenges and proposed solutions during the meeting. Before the session, members visited sites where farmers trained under DeSIRA showcased the cultivation of hydroponics, the rearing of black soldier flies for nutritious feeds, and the use of drones for the timely delivery of livestock semen. DeSIRA is a four-year project funded by the European Union that employs a multi-sector and interdisciplinary approach to drive innovations and enhance capacities for climate-smart agriculture. Focused on livestock and crop system diversification, effective irrigated area management, and crop intensification in drought-prone regions, the project aims to reduce poverty and ensure food and nutrition security in specific Rwandan districts, including Burera, Rutsiro, Gatsibo, Nyagatare Bugesera, and Ruhango.
