The Chamber of Deputies on Thursday, July 23, passed a new draft law governing agriculture, introducing reforms aimed at modernising the sector, boosting productivity, strengthening food security and aligning Rwanda's agricultural standards with international practices. ALSO READ: New bill sets stage for modern, market-led farming The bill consolidates three existing laws governing seeds and plant varieties, plant health protection, and the use of mineral fertilisers and agricultural and veterinary chemicals into a single legal framework. It now awaits presidential assent before it can take effect. The bill seeks to promote professional farming, advance knowledge- and tech-driven agriculture, increase private sector participation in agriculture, and introduce measures to prevent improper use of fertilisers and agricultural chemicals that could negatively affect human health and other living organisms. Several provisions of the bill will be implemented through ministerial orders to be issued after it comes into force. ALSO READ: New law to end ‘anyone can be a farmer’ approach, professionalise sector MP Alice Muzana, who chairs the Parliamentary Committee on Land, Agriculture, Livestock and Environment, said the new legislation addresses gaps identified in the current laws, which have affected regulation of the sector and contributed to losses among farmers. She said the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources Telesphore Ndabamenye explained told the committee that the reforms are intended to transform agriculture into a more professional sector, increase private sector participation and improve the quantity and quality of agricultural production while enhancing farmers' economic well-being. The proposed draft law is expected to contribute to the desired transformation of agriculture by promoting modern knowledge and technology and aligning agricultural standards with international standards, thereby increasing agricultural productivity, Muzana said as she presented the house committee report on the bill. ALSO READ: Fake seeds dealers could face jail term under new bill She added that the legislation introduces measures to prevent the unsafe use of agricultural inputs that may harm human health and other living organisms. Key amendments introduced The Government initially submitted the draft law with 106 articles, but after examination by the committee, the approved version contains 110 articles. The committee introduced 14 new articles, mainly relating to the protection of new plant varieties, while 40 articles were amended substantively and 55 articles underwent editorial revisions. Two articles remained unchanged. The committee also recommended that offences and penalties in the initial version be treated as administrative sanctions to be provided for in subsequent ministerial orders. MPs raise concerns over crop varieties During the debate, lawmakers raised concerns over provisions related to the introduction and protection of crop varieties. MP Françoise Mukandekezi questioned a provision stating that a new crop variety originating from another country and approved by the competent authority of that country would only be subjected to testing for value for cultivation and use before being considered in Rwanda. She argued that differences in climate, soil conditions and other environmental factors could affect the performance of crop varieties introduced from other countries. Minister explains seed variety protection Responding to lawmakers' concerns, Minister Ndabamenye said Rwanda already has a process for approving crop varieties before they are released for use by farmers. He said the ministry publishes a list of authorised seed varieties every year after they have undergone research, field trials and evaluation. The approved varieties are those that have been tested, piloted and accepted for use by farmers after they are agreed upon, he said. The minister added that protecting new plant varieties is necessary because developing improved crop varieties requires years of research and significant investment. He said safeguards provided under the draft law will help protect agricultural innovations while encouraging continued research and development of improved varieties.
