MPs urge Kigali to accelerate urban agriculture to boost food security

By The Inspirer.

Members of Parliament have called on the City of Kigali to step up efforts to promote urban agriculture, saying it could play a key role in strengthening food security and increasing agricultural production in the capital.

The appeal was made on Saturday, June 6, during ongoing parliamentary field visits assessing agricultural activities across the country.

Lawmakers questioned city officials on the slow pace of urban farming development in Kigali and raised concerns about challenges facing farmers, including limited irrigation infrastructure, inadequate agricultural insurance coverage, and persistent crop pests.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament Belise Uwineza said the visits are examining the entire agricultural value chain, from land preparation to market access.

“We are looking at how farmers prepare their land, whether land consolidation has been carried out, the establishment of terraces on hillsides, and the preparation of wetlands,” she said.

“We will also assess the use of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilisers and lime where necessary, as well as support provided to address pests and diseases.”

The MPs also indicated that their assessment will cover post-harvest handling facilities, market access systems, and the capacity of farmers’ cooperatives to support agricultural development.

A key concern raised during the visit was the limited progress of urban farming in Kigali, despite increasing pressure on land and rising demand for food in the city.

MP Jennifer Witaba highlighted city plans to expand urban agriculture, while MP Agathe Nabahire called for increased investment in rooftop and household farming initiatives, saying these could optimize rainwater use and make better use of limited urban space.

Agricultural insurance also emerged as a major concern among lawmakers.

MP Gloriose Sibobugingo said farmers have complained that existing insurance schemes mainly cover production costs rather than actual harvest losses, while some crops, including fodder, remain excluded.

MP Christine Mukabazina questioned why insurance coverage appears more accessible in wetlands compared to hilly farming areas.

MP Odette Uwamariya urged authorities to strengthen measures against crop pests and diseases and improve planning for feeder roads serving farming communities.

Responding to the concerns, Jean Rubayisanga, an urban economist at the City of Kigali, said the city has already begun promoting urban agriculture through pilot projects, including a rooftop farming initiative at Kigali City Hall.

He added that residents are also being encouraged to plant fruit trees to support both environmental sustainability and food security.

“Many of our farming areas are located in wetlands, but we have started promoting urban agriculture through demonstration projects,” he said.

Rubayisanga noted that irrigation remains one of the main barriers to expanding urban farming, particularly in upland areas where farmers face higher risks and limited access to agricultural insurance.

He also pointed to crop pests such as armyworms and rice pests, as well as inadequate soil testing, as key challenges affecting agricultural productivity.

Martin Uwijige, Vice Mayor of the City of Kigali in charge of Socio-Economic Affairs, said the city is working with cooperatives and private operators in farming areas such as Ndera and Mundi to improve productivity.

She said ongoing efforts to expand cultivation in available spaces have already led to increased output, particularly for fast-growing crops such as beans.

According to her, improved agricultural practices and higher productivity could help strengthen insurers’ confidence and ultimately expand agricultural insurance coverage for farmers.