Minister urges Rwandans to embrace healthy eating habits

By Prince Boris CYUBAHIRO.

The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Cyubahiro Mark Bagabe, has urged Rwandans to adopt healthy eating habits by consuming balanced meals rich in nutrients, including vegetables, meat, and protein-rich foods.

He delivered the message during the celebration of World Food Day, marked on Friday, October 24, 2025, in Cyanika Sector, Nyamagabe District. The event featured activities such as planting fruit trees and donating livestock—including cows, goats, and chickens—to local residents.

Dr. Bagabe explained that supporting citizens with livestock aims to help them overcome poverty and achieve food security.

He emphasized that food security goes beyond having enough to eat, saying: “ We must remember that food security is not just about the quantity of food available, but also about ensuring that every meal is nutritious enough to support both physical and mental well-being.”

The minister reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to fighting malnutrition and stunting among children, noting that Nyamagabe District has made notable progress in reducing stunting rates, even though the district remains among the poorest in the country.

Nyamagabe District Mayor Hildebrand Niwemwungeri said the district is intensifying efforts to combat poverty and malnutrition.

“We have committed to cultivating all available land throughout every season to help eradicate malnutrition,” he said.

According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), about 51.4% of Nyamagabe’s population lives in poverty but can meet their basic food needs. The district ranks third nationwide for its efforts to fight poverty.

Currently, vegetables are grown on 350 hectares during agricultural season C, with plans to expand cultivation to 500 hectares next year.

The FAO Representative in Rwanda, Nomathemba Mhlanga, reaffirmed the UN agency’s partnership with the Rwandan government to strengthen food security.
“Agriculture is a pathway to development, and we are committed to helping communities achieve food self-sufficiency and link farmers to markets,” she said.

Although World Food Day is officially celebrated globally on October 16, countries are allowed to observe it at any date within the same month.

To mark the occasion, MINAGRI and its partners planted over 5,000 fruit trees across schools nationwide. At G.S. Notre Dame de la Paix, 100 avocado trees were planted, while at G.S. Saint Nicolas Cyanika, students were served fortified maize flour porridge, a new school meal initiative aimed at improving nutrition.

A student, Manzi Alliance, expressed excitement about receiving fruit trees at the school, saying they will help improve students’ health and prevent diseases.

In Nyamagabe, 7 families received 7 cows, 20 families received 40 goats, and 34 families were given 680 chickens (20 per family).

MINAGRI also launched a national month dedicated to promoting nutritious foods, encouraging proper food handling, sustainable farming, and livestock management to increase productivity. Farmers and livestock keepers will also receive improved breeds and high-yield crop varieties.

Currently, 83% of Rwandan households are food self-sufficient, while efforts continue to help the remaining 16% achieve full food security and escape poverty.