The Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources has said that agriculture and livestock are expected to considerably contribute to the recovery of the national economy from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. For that to be achieved, it requires to redouble efforts in order to increase agriculture and livestock produce, according to a statement from the Ministry on the message related to the season A of 2021 agriculture year which begins in September 2020. The statement signed by Gerardine Mukeshimana, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources on September 2, 2020, indicates that this farming season which begins in September 2020 has coincided with the unusual circumstance resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, which the world – Rwanda inclusive – is fighting against. In order to ensure that the agriculture and livestock sector to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the country’s economy, the Ministry called for collaboration between farmers, the local government entities, and other agriculture and livestock development partners in implementing relevant activities. The activities include continuing to carry out farming activities by complying with the Covid-19 preventive measures that were put in place by competent health organs. Cultivating all the farmland and ensure that no land remains idle including in marshlands and upland; as well as expanding the cultivated area under land use consolidation by growing selected and suitable crops based on technical advice from institutions in charge of agriculture. The Ministry also highlighted the need to control erosion through anti-erosion practices including planting grass on trenches, and unblocking water channels in marshlands. It also said noted that there should be early preparation of land and growing quality seeds on time based on the availability of rain in the autumn based on the weather forecast across the country so that crops get sufficient water to foster their growth. The Ministry underscored the need for further adoption of the use of agricultural inputs including fertilisers and seeds. All farmers are requested to continue registering in the Smart Nkunganire System as a technology-based progamme through which farmers can access fertilisers and seeds with government subsidies. In order to withstand the effects of the shortage of rain on crop production, the Ministry called for embracing the irrigation scheme whereby the government provides 50 percent subsidy on irrigation equipment on farms that do not exceed 10 hectares, each. It recommended that rainwater should be harvested and effectively managed so that it would be used in watering crops in case of insufficient rains. Given that diseases and pests attack farmers’ crops and make them incur losses, the Ministry said urged farmers to tackle the problem with growing quality and disease-free seeds, rotating crops, and applying right pesticides and fungicides. Another activity to be scaled up in this farming season is carrying out the campaign to vaccinate livestock against diseases that often threaten them in this period. Moreover, the Ministry urged farmers to further the adoption of agriculture and livestock insurance with government subvention. In line with making sure that livestock animals get an adequate and steady supply of feed, farmers are requested to grow fodder and ensuring its proper storage and handling. And, to avoid post-harvest losses, the Ministry said that there effective ways to effectively handle harvests should be put in place. Under the more than Rwf120 billion agriculture budget this fiscal year, the Ministry is focusing on priority areas namely innovation and extension which will get more than Rwf6.6 billion; productivity and resilience with over Rwf97.5 billion; inclusive markets and value addition, over Rwf7.1 billion; while enabling environment and responsive institutions will take Rwf8.9 billion share. In 2019, export earnings from the agriculture sector represented 35 percent of the country’s formal exports and 48 percent of export earnings from the country’ informal cross border trade, according to information from the ministry.
