Rwanda’s youth hold the key to a resilient food system, Kilimo Trust CEO says

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

With nearly 60% of Rwanda’s population under the age of 25, unlocking the potential of young people is vital for building a stronger, more resilient agricultural sector, Dr. Birungi Korutaro, CEO of Kilimo Trust, has said.

Speaking at a media roundtable in Kigali on June 27, 2025 —  themed “Strengthening Regional Agri-Food Systems for Sustainable Growth,” Dr. Birungi urged policy makers, development partners and the media to put youth at the center of the country’s food systems transformation.

“Our youth population is our greatest asset — but if we don’t equip them with practical skills and connect them to opportunities, it becomes our biggest risk,” she warned. “We must help them see agriculture as a profitable, modern business, not just subsistence work.”

Kilimo Trust — a regional organization working to improve market access and agricultural productivity across East Africa — convened the roundtable to share progress and challenges in Rwanda’s agri-food sector as it marks 20 years of impact.

From markets to skills

Andrew Gashaija, Country Team Leader for Kilimo Trust Rwanda, highlighted how the organization has worked with over 30,000 farmers since it began operations in Rwanda in 2009 with the Kigali Wholesale Market for Fresh Produce.

“We always start from market demand and work backwards — supporting farmers with quality seeds, innovations, and the right skills to supply what buyers need,” Gashaija said.

Kilimo Trust’s initiatives have introduced simple but powerful technologies to reduce post-harvest losses, such as grain threshers, onion drying sheds, and silage storage to preserve animal feed during dry spells.

A major focus has been training young people through partnerships with Rwanda Polytechnic, TVET schools and the private sector. Thousands of young Rwandans — including unemployed youth and graduates — have gained practical skills in mechanization, horticulture, greenhouse production, food processing, and animal feed management.

Many have gone on to run their own businesses or secure jobs in the agri-food sector.

Catalytic solutions for big challenges

Despite progress, Dr. Birungi noted that post-harvest losses in Rwanda still range from 15% to 30%, depending on the crop and region. For example, tomato farmers in Ngoma District lose up to 30% of their harvest every season due to lack of cold storage and transportation.

However, community-level solutions can have an outsized impact. In Nyagatare, one onion and garlic drying shed built with Kilimo Trust support helped a farmers’ group generate Rwf 3.5 million in extra income from drying fees alone.

“These are simple but catalytic interventions that transform livelihoods at the grassroots,” Dr. Birungi said.

She also highlighted the growing threat of climate change, which is already reducing yields in districts like Gicumbi due to unpredictable droughts and floods. To tackle this, Kilimo Trust trains youth in irrigation and greenhouse technologies to ensure steady food production throughout the year.

A call to action for the media

Dr. Birungi closed with an appeal to the media: “Your storytelling can change how people see agriculture. It can inspire young people to join this sector, attract more partners, and strengthen our food systems for the future.”

The roundtable ended with a lively discussion on how journalists and Kilimo Trust can collaborate to tell more stories that highlight solutions, celebrate community impact and encourage more investment in Rwanda’s agri-food systems.

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