(3 Minutes Read)
In a concerted effort to transform its national food systems and promote climate-resilient farming, Rwanda, through its Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), has formed a strategic alliance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the African Plant-Based Food Alliance (APEFA). This collaboration is designed to champion sustainable agricultural practices while addressing the growing challenges of climate change, soil degradation, and food insecurity across the country.
At the center of this initiative is the National High-Level Dialogue on Sustainable Agriculture, recently held in Kigali and organised by IUCN. This gathering brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society representatives, academics, agricultural unions, and development partners. The dialogue served as a platform for in-depth discussions on agroecological innovation, landscape conservation, and integrated approaches to food system resilience.
A prominent feature of the discussions was the “Five Fruits Per Household” campaign—an agroecological model promoting the integration of fruit trees into household farming. The campaign aims to achieve multiple goals simultaneously: diversifying family diets, enriching soil health, rehabilitating degraded land, enhancing biodiversity, and supporting food and nutritional security at the community level.
During the sessions led by IUCN, emphasis was placed on regenerative agricultural methods that work in harmony with nature. These include practices such as agroforestry, intercropping, and sustainable land management—each recognised for their potential to restore ecosystems while strengthening agricultural productivity. These low-input, environmentally friendly practices are being prioritised to combat issues such as soil erosion, loss of nutrients, and declining biodiversity.
The active involvement of the Rwandan government was pivotal in ensuring that the outcomes of the dialogue were both actionable and aligned with the country’s broader development objectives. Key proposals discussed included offering incentives to farmers who adopt sustainable practices, implementing training programs in rural areas, and establishing robust monitoring systems to evaluate environmental impact. These efforts are being synchronised with Rwanda’s existing frameworks, particularly the Strategic Plan for the Transformation of Agriculture Phase Five (PSTA 5) and the National Strategy for Transformation (NST 1).
Building on the momentum from the national dialogue, the Ministry of Environment and IUCN co-hosted the 17th National Cross-Sectoral Task Force meeting in Bugesera District, Eastern Province. This gathering united representatives from forestry, agriculture, academia, and the private sector to align strategies for forest landscape restoration with sustainable agriculture. The meeting underscored a growing national commitment to move from planning to tangible implementation.
Dr. Alphonce Guzha, IUCN Rwanda’s Programme Manager, highlighted the critical link between healthy landscapes and sustainable food systems. He reiterated that climate-resilient agriculture is no longer optional, particularly in the face of increasing climate-related threats and environmental degradation. He commended the cross-sectoral collaboration for bridging restoration efforts with agricultural productivity to support both environmental conservation and economic development.
Though its formal programming is still forthcoming, APEFA is expected to contribute significantly by promoting plant-based dietary solutions. The alliance will focus on market integration, nutrition education, and research partnerships centered on plant-derived foods such as legumes, grains, pulses, and fruits. By championing these crops, APEFA aims to shift reliance away from resource-intensive monocultures and toward more sustainable and nutritious alternatives.
This trilateral partnership between Rwanda, IUCN, and APEFA represents a holistic and forward-looking strategy to transform agriculture in a way that meets both environmental and human needs. By promoting regenerative practices and phasing out harmful monoculture systems, the initiative seeks to improve food security, enhance farmer incomes, restore soil and water resources, and safeguard biodiversity.
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As Rwanda begins to roll out these initiatives through pilot projects and localised agricultural extension services, the partnership is expected to yield tangible benefits: improved nutrition, increased household resilience, thriving ecosystems, and compliance with global environmental and climate goals.
Ultimately, this integrated approach to agriculture, conservation, and economic transformation positions Rwanda as a model for sustainable development in Africa—and a key case study in the global movement toward resilient, inclusive, and ecologically sound food systems.
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