Rwanda transform food festival drives vision for sustainable food systems

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

Rwanda’s food systems leaders and innovators convened at the Rwanda Transform Food Festival, hosted by the African Food Fellowship (AFF) at Norrsken House Kigali, on December 13, 2024, to explore transformative solutions for sustainable agriculture.

The event served as a platform for fostering collective leadership and exploring innovative approaches to transforming the country’s food systems.

The festival focused on unpacking the Strategic Plan for Agricultural Transformation (PSTA-5) and identifying actionable pathways to address critical challenges such as climate change, malnutrition, and post-harvest losses.

Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General of Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), officiated the event, urging participants to align their efforts with the national strategy.

“Today is about inspiring collective action and ensuring that our efforts reflect the inclusivity, resilience, and innovation needed to achieve the goals of PSTA-5,” said Dr. Ingabire in her opening remarks.

Collaborative leadership and systems thinkingOne of the festival’s key highlights was a panel discussion titled “Connecting Food Systems Transformations: Global, National, and Community Perspectives.”

Moderated by AFF Director Joost Guijt, the discussion underscored the importance of leadership and systems thinking in addressing food systems challenges.

Guijt emphasized the need for an integrated approach, stating, “Food systems are deeply interconnected, and effective leadership is essential to align agriculture, health, and environmental objectives.”

Panelists brought diverse perspectives to the discussion. Richard Makuza, Policy Officer for Climate-Smart Agriculture at the World Food Program, highlighted the importance of engaging farmers and ensuring coordinated support for climate adaptation.

He noted that while Rwanda has made strides in organizing farmers into cooperatives, gaps in stakeholder coordination remain a barrier.

Dr. Alfred Bizoza, a professor at the University of Rwanda, advocated for integrating evidence-based approaches into policymaking, citing PSTA-5 as a model for addressing productivity and equity while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Sylvie Nirere, Country Manager of IDH, emphasized the role of trade in food systems transformation, advocating for inclusive market systems that empower smallholder farmers while meeting global standards.

Showcasing innovations in food systemsThe event also spotlighted the work of Rwanda Food Fellows, who presented solutions aimed at tackling systemic issues in agriculture.

From reducing post-harvest losses to addressing malnutrition and promoting sustainability, these initiatives highlighted the practical outcomes of AFF’s collaborative leadership approach.

“This festival is a testament to the power of leadership and collaboration in reimagining food systems,” said Guijt, noting that the event exemplified how partnerships between public, private, and community actors can drive meaningful change.

Paving the way forwardThe festival concluded with a renewed commitment to implementing PSTA-5 and scaling up efforts to build a future of healthy, inclusive, and sustainable food systems in Rwanda. Participants left with a shared vision of fostering partnerships and aligning their actions with the country’s broader agricultural goals.

As Rwanda continues to confront the challenges of climate change, malnutrition, and food security, events like the Rwanda Transform Food Festival demonstrate the potential of systemic approaches and collaborative leadership to catalyze transformation across the food system.

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