Patrice Hakizimana, the director of Rwanda Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), has called for more public support to Agriculture. Agriculture is an important component to achieving Rwanda’s Vision 2020, as highlighted in the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (EDPRS).Hakizimana argues that boosted agricultural production can enable other sectors to grow, especially agro-based industries. He continues that food security would be guaranteed if there was an increase in food production for both subsistence and commercial purposes. This would reduce food importation as well. “With such industrial growth, farmers will have ready market and relatively steady income. Other sectors can also develop under the background of agriculture,” he said.He also said that more jobs will be created both in the rural and urban areas where industries are located. Dr. Theogene Rutagwenda, of Rwanda Animal Resources Development Authority (RARDA) added that the agricultural sector can help Rwandan peasants’ daily income soar, especially if they involve in mixed farming. He revealed that beneficiaries of the ‘Kibaki’ cows and the one-cow-one-family programme are progressing steadily in communities where the projects have been instituted. Rutagwenda said mixed farming could be good because it could produce some manure to supplement that provided by the government at a subsidized cost.Ends
