$5 Million allocated to boost agricultural production in food-insecure districts

Elias Hakizimana Feb 26, 2026 0 Comments

By The Inspirer.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Rwanda, in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, has committed $5 million over the next two years to scale up agricultural productivity in six districts facing persistent food insecurity.

The funding will be channelled through a new initiative dubbed Rwanda Green Food Future: Accelerating Investment in Food System Transformation, officially launched on February 25, 2026.

The project brings together five UN agencies led by the Food and Agriculture Organization, alongside the United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Development Programme, World Food Programme and United Nations Capital Development Fund.

The programme, which runs until July 2027, will be implemented in Rubavu, Ngororero, Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru and Burera — districts identified among the most affected by food shortages.

FAO partners discuss the project to promote agricultural development.

Focus on climate-resilient and market-oriented farming

The initiative will support farmer cooperatives to adopt profitable, climate-resilient agricultural practices capable of improving household food security through the cultivation of nutrient-dense crops.

Farmers will be linked to financial institutions to ease access to credit and receive financial literacy training. They will also be equipped with tools and technologies to enhance productivity and reduce post-harvest losses, including improved seeds, fertilisers, processing equipment and digital agricultural solutions.

Beyond cooperatives, the project will also engage small and medium-sized enterprises operating along agricultural value chains.

An initial $2.1 million has already been mobilised, with a target of reaching more than 20,000 farmers.

A feasibility study, expected to conclude in April 2026, is assessing priority crops and identifying potential partnerships with commercial banks.

Dr Karangwa Patrick, Director General in charge of Agricultural Modernisation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), said the project will support the government’s target of increasing agricultural productivity by 50 percent.

aligned with national agricultural targets

FAO Representative in Rwanda, Mohamed Aw-Dahir, said integrating climate action, innovation and finance will help increase agricultural output, improve household nutrition and raise incomes.

Dr Karangwa Patrick, Director General in charge of Agricultural Modernisation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, said the project supports Rwanda’s national strategy for transformation (NST2), which aims to increase agricultural productivity by 50 percent, raise agricultural investment from $2.2 billion to $4.6 billion and create 1.25 million jobs by 2029.

“In the six targeted districts, food production remains insufficient. This project will help increase investment, improve market access, create jobs and strengthen public-private partnerships,” he said.

The UN Resident Coordinator in Rwanda, Ozonnia Ojielo, stressed that achieving the sustainable development goals will require strong collaboration across sectors, particularly in transforming agriculture.